Franchot Won't "Stand Idly By" On Slots
Opponents of slot-machine gambling gathered in Annapolis this morning to start preparing for a tough fight ahead and were rallied by Comptroller Peter Franchot (D).
Franchot told about two dozen members of the StopSlots coalition that this is one issue on which he disagrees with Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), who supports legalizing slots at horse-racing tracks.
"I consider Governor O'Malley a friend and an ally, but on this important issue ... we don't see eye to eye," Franchot told the group, which included several senior citizens and clergy gathered in a church meeting room. "I am not going to sit idly by while the national gambling industry seeks to get their hooks in our state and take us down the wrong path."
Slots were a failed priority during the administration of Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R). The issue is re-emerging as O'Malley and lawmakers grapple with a looming budget shortfall of nearly $1.5 billion. A bill sponsored last legislative session by Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) would have raised about $800 million a year for the state, according to legislative analysts.
By John Wagner |
May 24, 2007; 11:08 AM ET
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Posted by: Robin Ficker | May 24, 2007 1:30 PM
When is Franchot going to start paying for my health insurance like he promised he would do for all Marylanders? I don't care if he gets the money from slots or somewhere else, but its expensive and I voted for him because he promised he would pay for it for everyone. Please don't tell me I have been duped.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 24, 2007 4:51 PM
Thank goodness we have Peter Franchot to stand up against slots! I'm glad that the stop slots coalition is regrouping for the fight.
Slots are a terrible way to pay for public services.
Posted by: Prince George's Co | May 24, 2007 5:33 PM
Could someone please make a smart argument against a limited slots bill other than overdramatic name calling ("put the hooks in us," "terrible," etc)? There's already gambling at horse tracks, right? This is just another form. Why not slots?
Posted by: why not slots? | May 24, 2007 6:41 PM
Slots are already here. Go to Chesapeake Beach and see for yourself. They get by under the guise of a bingo license because you have to get out of your chair and walk over to the bar to get paid out. Ask Mayor Gerald Donovan (D) all about it. He owns 2/3 of the town and his establishments have rows of them.
Posted by: BG from PG | May 24, 2007 9:30 PM
Gambling is already an American institution. The same way prohibition failed is the same way attempts to stop the increase from gambling revenues will eventually fail. Having them in neighborhoods is not cool. But having them concentrated at places that already promote gambling seems to make sense. If people want to throw their money away or participate in what a few people might consider a vice, they will. Whether in someones basement or a racetrack, there's nothing you can do to stop it, so you might as well take advantage of it.I'd rather revenue come from slots than from me not having a telephone or electricity.
Posted by: LJ | May 25, 2007 8:57 AM
Read LJ above and just substitute prostitution or CDS.
Posted by: LJ Not | May 25, 2007 10:17 AM
You have to laugh at the Baltimore Sun article today questioning how Sir Franchot could possibly oppose Grand Lord O'Malley on slots. The article, in typical Middle Ages style, suggests that Sir Franchot has committed treason against Lord O'Malley for these unspeakable acts. My God, the Sun and Maryland politics are so absolutely pathetic.
Posted by: A1 | May 29, 2007 12:27 AM
You have to laugh at the Baltimore Sun article today questioning how Sir Franchot could possibly oppose Grand Lord O'Malley on slots. The article, in typical Middle Ages style, suggests that Sir Franchot has committed treason against Lord O'Malley for these unspeakable acts. My God, the Sun and Maryland politics are so absolutely pathetic.
Posted by: A1 | May 29, 2007 12:27 AM
You have to laugh at the Baltimore Sun article today questioning how Sir Franchot could possibly oppose Grand Lord O'Malley on slots. The article, in typical Middle Ages style, suggests that Sir Franchot has committed treason against Lord O'Malley for these unspeakable acts. My God, the Sun and Maryland politics are so absolutely pathetic.
Posted by: A1 | May 29, 2007 12:27 AM
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I agree with Franchot on slots. But where does he stand on increases in the state sales and income taxes?