McIntosh: Baltimore Delegation Controls Expanded Gambling
Del. Maggie McIntosh said members of the Baltimore City delegation control whether expanded gambling will go to the voters.
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Whether voters will get the chance to approve a casino in Prince George’s County depends on the votes of the Baltimore City delegation, according to Del. Maggie McIntosh
McIntosh, a member of the Democratic leadership in the House of Delegates, said city legislators would vote to allow a sixth slots casino if they can be convinced it won’t hurt Baltimore’s proposed casino.
"Baltimore City delegates are not going to vote for the sixth site it if short changes Baltimore City," McIntosh said. "They can’t pass it without our votes."
McIntosh, who represents much of North Baltimore, made her comments when speaking to residents at the York Road Partnership meeting on Wednesday.
Gov. Martin O'Malley was set to call a special session on July 9, but the House was unable to reach an agreement with the Senate on a gambling bill.
In 2008 voters approved a referendum allowing the state to open five slots casinos in Maryland. But now some legislators want to open a sixth site at the National Harbor and allow table games.
McIntosh said there is a sense of urgency to get the issue on the ballot because it would be two years before it could be put to the voters again. She said approving an additional casino and expanded gambling could mean $200 million for the state that would be directed to schools and property tax relief.
Daniel Ewald
2:10 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Can't the gambling sites be up and running for a few years before we start making new ones? We don't even know how profitable the ones being developed are. Better to wait a bit, gauge the success/failure, then proceed.
Sean Tully
11:53 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
The voters should decide three seperate issues:
1. Should table games be allowed in casinos in Maryland? (My answer: Yes.)
2. Should a sixth casino be allowed to open in Prince George's Co.? (My answer: I don't care, but yes, I have no problem with it.)
3. Should Maryland casinos receive a tax break? (My answer: No.)
Michael Haynie
8:46 am on Friday, July 13, 2012
in order for all the sites to be competative to other states we need table games in Maryland. What has been the most challenging for gaming thus far is the legislature including the Baltimore City delegation lack of understanding of business. They are playing politics with jobs and tax money. It has been studied and proven, the sixth parloir with table games would add to all of the casinos and state's revenue stream. Del. MacIntosh and the rest of baltimore City Delegation need to stop with the politics and understand the seriousness of the need for jobs and business. To see the empty lot on Russell Street lossing money everyday as a result of their business ineptitude is an injustice to the citizens of baltimore. They NEVER listen.
Dunk
12:37 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
The great con continues. Are none of you bothered that the state seeks to raise revenue from the most regressive and damaging way possible?
Michael Haynie
1:10 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
Dunk: I don't necessarily agree with this revenue model but given the fact the voters approved of gaming, it is the responsibility of the legislature to implement and move this model along smoothly. We have seen none of that. Politics as usual as the jockeying continues to see who is ultimately going to manage the money is what is happening from my perspective. States such as Pa. Deleware and West Virgina seem to understand the importance once the decisions are made of inaction legislation to ensure the people benefit from jobs, small business and education initiatives which many tie their gaming revenues toward. it should not have been this difficult with Maryland implementing.
Sean Tully
5:56 pm on Sunday, July 15, 2012
It is not damaging to me because I don't gamble. But, the fact is, a lot of people enjoy gambling the same way they enjoy a night out to the movies or dinner and dancing. Just because some people lose it all at the casino doesn't mean it should be banned. We tried that with alcohol and it didn't work. Heck, we tried it with gambling and it doesn't work.