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Senate oks maryland slots bill Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.newszap.com/articles/2004/02/28/dover/news03.txt http://www.newszap.com/articles/2004/02/28/dover/news03.txt Senate OKs Maryland slots bill By Tom Stuckey, Associated Press ANNAPOLIS, Md. - A bill to authorize 15,500 slots machines at up to six locations in Maryland passed the state Senate on Friday and headed to an uncertain future in the House of Delegates. The heavily amended version of Gov. Robert Ehrlich's slot machine bill was approved on a 27-18 roll call after about an hour of debate. That is two votes more than last year, when it squeezed through the Senate on a 25-21 vote, just one vote more than the 24 required for passage. The vote was preceded by a last-minute flurry of activity, including a visit by Ehrlich to Republican senators at a caucus meeting in the Senate lounge just before the Senate convened for the day. "The governor gave ... an emphatic speech to the Republican senators before the vote asking for solidarity. He is pleased with the votes he got," said Shareese DeLeaver, a spokeswoman for Ehrlich. Nine of 14 Republicans sided with the governor, including some who oppose slot machine gambling. Three voted against the bill, and two sat out the vote. Sen. Andrew Harris, D-Baltimore County, described his vote in favor of the bill as very difficult for him. "The governor asked us to help on this vote to get the bill over to the House," Harris said. "When the governor asks, it always makes a difference." Democrats were more closely divided, with 18 supporting slot machines and 14 voting against the bill. Enacting slots in Maryland could have a major impact in neighboring Delaware, which has three slots facilities, including sites at Dover Downs and Midway Slots in Harrington. Delaware officials have estimated a loss of customers could cut the state's casinos' profits by $36 million a year. That loss of business would have a negative impact on the state, which collects about 35 percent of slots revenues. Delaware received about $200 million from slots in fiscal 2002 and $184 million in fiscal 2003. A slot machine bill passed the Maryland Senate last year but died in the House Ways and Means Committee, where it will be sent again this year when it reaches the House next week. House Speaker Michael Busch, D-Anne Arundel, who played a key role in defeating the governor's bill at the 2003 session, would not predict what will happen to it this year. Busch said the House will be in no rush to take up the slots issue. "We'll wait until it comes over and judge it like any other revenue source," Busch said. "It will have a hearing. It will go through the same process every other bill will go through." But he has said major changes will be required before the House will vote to authorize slot machines. Busch and some House leaders oppose automatically giving slot machine licenses to racetrack owners and believe the state can get a better deal if it owns the slots facilities and leases them out to an operator. DeLeaver said the governor believes there is room for further compromise in the House. The governor's office and legislative fiscal advisers estimate the state's share of slot machine revenues would be almost $830 million when all 15,500 slot machines are in operation. The money would be used for public schools. During Senate debate, supporters said the bill is the only way to produce the revenues needed to fund the state's $1.3 billion "Bridge to Excellence" school aid plan. Sen. Joan Carter Conway, D-Baltimore, opposed the bill last year but said she changed her position because of the need for more money for schools, especially in Baltimore, where schools are on the verge of bankruptcy. "We can't let 91,000 kids in Baltimore down," she said. Opponents said if slots are legalized, many people will get caught in the web of gambling addiction, destroying families and leading to bankruptcies and increased crime. "The social ills will cross every border of every (legislative) district in this state," said Sen. Ida Ruben, D-Montgomery. "I think its a shame to call this (the slots bill) a Bridge to Excellence," she said. "The title should be a bridge to disaster."

Democrat governor continues republican plan for slots { September 25 2007 } Ehrlich defends land sale initiatives { November 24 2004 } Ehrlich knew of land deal { December 1 2004 } Ehrlich land deal to give land for tax break Ehrlich powers prosecutors to combat witness intimidation { January 8 2005 } Ehrlich repeats call for slots Ehrlich slot bill dead { April 3 2003 } Ehrlich slot machines maryland { February 26 2003 } Ehrlich tired of being jacked around on slot machines { May 6 2004 } Maryland slot legislation trampled in house { April 13 2004 } No money for schools without slot revenue Senate oks maryland slots bill Slot vote abruptly halted by republicans { February 18 2005 } Unusual ehrlich defense land sales Wont pay students campaigned { May 1 2003 } Files Listed: 15

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