Brian Frosh

ROCKVILLE - Slot machines would be nothing but bad news for Maryland's economy and residents, according to some Montgomery County Democrats.

A group of elected officials gathered Monday afternoon to criticize the so-called benefits of approving gambling in Maryland to help cure a looming budget deficit.

"The idea of slots in Maryland is an invitation to a race at the bottom," said state Sen. Brian Frosh in front of the Red Brick Courthouse. "The message you get from the referendum is ‘let's dive in.'"

The Maryland State Police could lose as much as $4.5 million in federal funding if an ongoing investigation reveals that its use of a criminal database to track peaceful activists violated federal rules, the Washington Times reports.

While the surveillance of the anti-death penalty and peace activists appears legal under state law, legal analysts tell the Times that "entering a Baltimore activist's name in the drug-trafficking and terror suspect database without apparent justification could violate 1970s-era regulations stemming from revelations of domestic spying by national intelligence agencies." Such a violation could cost the state its federal funding for police.

State Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Chairman Brian Frosh (D-Bethesda) will hold a Sept. 16 hearing for testimony on the legality of the practice. Frosh says that if the practices are legal under state law, he will introduce legislation to outlaw them.

Sen. Brian Frosh (D-Bethesda) told PolitickerMD.com today that he is "still planning to succeed" Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach) as president of the Maryland State Senate, one-day after Miller announced that he would seek re-election in 2010.

"He's a good guy and I think he helps the Democrats," Frosh said. "I'm supporting him for re-election."

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach) described embattled Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-District Heights) as "a very dear friend" during his press conference in Annapolis yesterday, saying Currie is an example of "history living."

Discussing the FBI raid on Currie's home last week, Miller said, "As I hear more--I think this is lessening."

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach) may be running for reelection after all. Weeks after his 2006 victory, the nine-term state senator announced that he would not seek reelection in 2010, but as The Washington Post reported this morning, Miller has planned a June 4 fundraiser, adding to speculation that he will seek another term in the General Assembly.

Miller's office declined comment about the event or his future when contacted today by PolitickerMD.com, and several of his senate colleagues were not available for comment.