Franchot headlines campaign to defeat slots referendum

ANNAPOLIS -- State Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) highlighted a series of guests who appeared at a rally this afternoon to speak out against the slots referendum, which will appear on the ballot in November.

Franchot appeared alongside members of the organization Marylanders United to Stop Slots.

Franchot explained his role with the group during an interview with PolitickerMD.com.

"Whatever they want me to do - I'm happy to consider," Franchot said.

He said he would continue to put his duties as comptroller first, but said he would work in a grassroots manner and aide with "fundraising and organizing" for the organization, "if my schedule and time permits."

In November, voters will decide if the state should legalize the release of up to 15,000 slot machines at racetracks and other locations throughout Maryland.

The measure is highly supported by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach), who tout the projected $600 million a year in revenue that slots are expected to provide for state programs.

Franchot called the revenue projections "inflated," and said it produced "negative economic growth."

"It steals money from other businesses," Franchot said in regards to slot revenues.

He called slots "an unstable form of funding state government," that is "addictive" and leads to an "unfair tax on the poor, middle class, and seniors."

The slots battle has led several media outlets to characterize the issue as a fight between Franchot and O'Malley.

When asked if he thought this image would hurt the anti-slots campaign, Franchot said, "I'm part of a broad and diverse coalition. Clearly, the campaign is not about one individual or another, it's about defeating slots."

The comptroller said he expected Marylanders United to Stop Slots would be outspent by pro-slots advocates, but said, "We are going to defeat them."

He also predicted that a "majority of Marylanders are opposed to slots," and said, "You'll see that in November."

The group includes U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville), Scott Arceneaux, the campaign manager for former Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan (D) during his 2006 gubernatorial campaign, former Talbot County Councilwoman Hilary Spence (D), Duncan's former media consultant Anita Dunn, Del. Curt Anderson (D-Baltimore) and Aaron Meisner, the group's chairman.

The organization released the names of more than 100 steering committee members during the afternoon event at the Calvary United Methodist Church.

Arceneaux, a top adviser to Marylanders United to Stop Slots, said the organization would be "very active in the press and the community."

He said the anti-slots campaign group would talk to residents and appear at various Democratic and Republican clubs and at a county's local chamber of commerce.

He also said the campaign would produce radio and television ads, and run ads on their website, MarylandersUnited.com.

Arceneaux said he did not know how much money the group planned to raise, adding, "We haven't focused on that right now."

He said the organization's goal would be to "draw attention to the referendum" and help defeat slots in November.

Gilchrest, who did not attend the event due to the fact that Congress is in session, issued a statement expressing his firm opposition to slots.

"Slot machine gambling will not fix our economic problems in Maryland, they will add to them," Gilchrest said. "Our government should not be encouraging such idle, mindless behavior in the name of greed."