Montgomery County teachers association to remain neutral on slots

The debate over whether the state should legalize the release of up to 15,000 slot machines at racetracks and other locations throughout Maryland took another turn yesterday when the Montgomery County teachers association announced that they would remain neutral on the November referendum.

The Montgomery County Education Association's (MCEA) Representative Assembly voted Wednesday to remain neutral, breaking with the Maryland State Teachers Association, who endorsed the proposal as a way to fund education in March. The MCEA represents approximately 12,000 teachers.

The MCEA will not conduct any "institutionally sanctioned activities in support or opposition of the referendum," President Bonnie Cullison told The Examiner.

The announcement comes less than a week after the Maryland and District of Columbia AFL-CIO endorsed slots, also citing projected revenues. The labor union claims some 300,000 members in the state.

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce and the Maryland Association of Counties, along with Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach), have all come out in support of the referendum.

The organization Marylanders United to Stop Slots, which includes Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) and Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville), responded to the AFL-CIO endorsement.

"We believe that once voters learn the truth: that this measure amends our state constitution, implements the final phase of the largest tax increase in Maryland history, and sticks it to working families, the voters of Maryland will reject the slots casino referendum outright," Charles Graham, Chair of Marylanders United to Stop Slots and business director of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 26 in Prince George's County, said in a statement.

"Slots won't lower taxes or create good jobs; they will only make our tough economic times worse through increased crime, broken homes, addiction, corruption, bankruptcies and foreclosures," Graham added.  "And when the revenue projections for slots fall short, the national gambling industry will be pushing for casinos, and the state for more taxes."