Both Sides in Slots Debate Win Converts
Pro- and anti-slots groups each gained support today: Maryland fightfighters became the latest municipal union to endorse the November slot machine gambling referendum proposal, while the Maryland Taxpayers Association came out against it.
In a statement put out by the pro-slots group For Maryland, For Our Future, LeRoy A. Wilkison, president of the Professional FireFighters of Maryland, said passage of the ballot question will ensure that county budgets stay intact, preserving public safety.
The union represents 20 locals of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
The Maryland Taxpayers Association, a group of fiscal conservatives, was featured at a press conference organized by Marylanders United to Stop Slots.
President Herb McMillan criticized the $1.4 billion tax increase approved by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly last year and signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), and said slots revenue will only "add fuel" to state spending.
By
Lisa Rein
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September 24, 2008; 12:17 PM ET
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Lisa Rein
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Slots
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Posted by: Robin Ficker, Broker Robin Realty | September 24, 2008 3:27 PM | Report abuse
I personally find the slots referendum much "scarier" than a tax hike. Here's why:
When the economy bounces back (if it does) we can lower taxes...its been done before.
However, if we make the decision to start Maryland on a track of depending on gambling revenue, it will be near impossible to ever throw the corporate gambling interests out of the state.
So, lets ask ourselves the question "Do I really want Maryland to begin depending on gambling revenue?"
I do not.
Posted by: Donny | September 27, 2008 10:32 PM | Report abuse
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While interesting, people from Montgomery County, at least, are more concerned about property taxes than slots. Question B will make it more difficult for the county to exceed the charter limit on property tax revenues. We had a 14% increase in property tax bills this year and because the county and state are constantly spending far more than they have coming in, look for a 15-20% increase in property tax bills next year. There are so-called "deficits" in ever larger budgets. Vote FOR B! Save Our Homes!