Martin O'Mallet

Back in November, I thought that we would be bombarded with ads on both sides of the argument when it comes to slots. But so far, the speculation about the PR going on for a year is turning out to be more media hype than anything. You might find a story here or there. The occasional commentary from Marylanders United To Stop Slots comes into my inbox every now and then, but it hasn’t been a big noisemaker in the free state. I suspect now that people realize that November is only four months away, whatever television money has been stored will now be put to good use in the three television markets in the state.

I refer to this issue as a two armed bandit. I do not like the fact that this referendum is going to be an amendment to the state constitution, all in the name of passing the buck. On the other hand (or arm,) I do not want to see this bill defeated because in a way it is passing the buck, in addition to giving the general assembly and Governor Martin O’Malley (D) not only an out and a reason to avoid the issue, but an excuse to cut the budget and/or raise taxes…ok, maybe the latter more than the former.