Common Cause asks General Assembly to reject contributions from gambling interests until slots vote

The advocacy group Common Cause Maryland is asking members of the General Assembly to refuse contributions from gambling interests through Election Day, when voters will decide if the state should legalize the release of up to 15,000 slot machines at racetracks and other locations throughout Maryland.

In a statement, the group's executive director, Ryan O'Donnell, said Common Cause would make the request because the slots referendum "must be a decision-making process untarnished by political contributions from interested parties."

The organization has not taken a stance for or against slots.

In a letter to lawmakers, O'Donnell writes, "The slots issue has been debated for over a decade by the General Assembly. Now that the decision has been put before the people in a referendum, Maryland must do all it can to ensure a fair process and meaningful public debate."

He said Common Cause would commit "to seeing that the issue is debated on the merits and that both lawmakers and citizens make the critical decisions involved free from monetary influence."

"As a member of the General Assembly, you will also have a role to play in the referendum, whether you are in favor, opposed, or neutral," O'Donnell wrote, saying his organization does not "condemn any member of the General Assembly for their position on slots."

"To ensure that Maryland gets the honest debate that it deserves, we are asking all senators and delegates to refuse political donations from organized gambling at least until the conclusion of the referendum."

The slots issue has long been a source of controversy in The Free State. Supporters of the measure, including Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach) claim revenue generated from slots can be used to fund education and close budget deficits, while opponents, like Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) and Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville) dispute the projected revenue estimates and cite moral objections.