April 30, 2008 - 2:33pm
Maryland Chamber of Commerce endorses slots referendum
By Kevin Agnese
Category: LocalTags: Martin O'Malley, Wayne Gilchrest, Peter Franchot, Maryland State Teachers Association, Thomas V. Mike Miller, Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Betty Buck, Marylanders United to Stop Slots, Maryland Association of Counties, Maryland slots referendum
With Maryland voters set to decide on a contentious slots referendum this fall, the state Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday that it was coming out in favor of the ballot measure.
"There is no realistic alternative to replace the revenue slots will generate for the state," Kathleen Snyder, the state Chamber's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "Recapturing money spent on slots in other states will help provide needed education funding increases and prevent future tax increases."
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 the state.
"As Maryland's leading statewide business advocacy organization, the Maryland Chamber supports passage of the slots referendum as a reasonable alternative to tax increases," the Chamber's chairwoman, Betty Buck, said in a statement.
"Maryland cannot afford to keep sending hundreds of millions of dollars out of state," Buck added. "People will spend their money on this type of entertainment - regardless of the outcome of this referendum. It is our view that our state should recapture the millions being spent today in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia."
Cara Morris Stern, a spokesperson for the organization Marylanders United to Stop Slots, said the group did not have a comment on the endorsement.
The support of the Chamber of Commerce adds to a growing list of slots supporters, which include the Maryland State Teachers Association and the Maryland Association of Counties.
Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach) have also been very vocal in their support for the referendum. Marylanders United to Stop Slots includes more than 100 steering committee members, including Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) and U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville).
The Maryland Chamber of Commerce's membership includes 860 businesses that employ more than 440,000 people in the state.
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Slots Oppostition
While the Executieve Board of MSTA took a position in favor of slots they did so without the support of the membership. PGCEA the Prince George's County Educators Association and other locals accross the state took no position on the issue which is quite different than being in favor.
Personally, I am very disheartened that the MSTA board voted to support this initiative. I am personally against this ballot initiative for several reasons. First, I have seen close to 500 million dollars in lottery money go to build stadiums: Camden Yards, tha parking lot for FEDX field, and the Ravens Stadium. Why wasn't that money used to build schools? I am still waiting to se the money promoised to the Landover community from the tax revenues from the stadium.
Second, there is going to be a backlash on income in the general fund when people start playing slost instead of playing the lottery that goes to the general fund. How will that be accounted for in this?
Third, Why are we supporing a dying industry such as horseracing? We all have cars now. Why don't we support NASCAR? It is the #1 growth sport in the nation.
Third, once you open the door with a constitutional ammendment it is very difficult to change. This could be enacted without changing our constitution. Constitutional changes should not be made for and issue such as this.
Fourth, where will they go next? Prince Georges's County? While there is not a site here, Rosecroft is still here and I am sure thjey are ready to lobby to have one here.
This is not a moral issue for me. This is a good government issue. We should not base balancing our budget on slots. Maryland in the 5th wealthiest state in the union. We pay taxes to live in a civilized society. Slots revenue is not reliable and we have seen how irresponsible politicians can be with these types of funds.
Slots
This is the wrong way to implement slots. You don't need to amend the MD Constitution. How about those who were elected do their job for a change a make a hard decision instead of worrying about the next election.
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