- Local every day in
Del. Frank Turner, a Howard County Democrat and chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Gaming Laws and Regulations, asks a question during a 90-minute hearing Saturday.
Photos (1)
Photos
A bill authorizing gambling expansion in Maryland will likely be amended, according to the chairman of the House subcommittee that is holding hearings on the legislation.
Del. Frank Turner, a Howard County Democrat, initially characterized possible changes to the bill passed Friday by the Senate as minor.
"Mostly it's a lot of tweaks," said Turner, the chairman of the House Ways and Means subcommittee on Gaming Law and Regulation.
When asked what concerns his committee might have, Turner suggested the changes might be more substantive.
"I think there are concerns everywhere," Turner said. "There are all kinds of concerns and ideas. Some will be germane and others won't. I think we're going to make it a better work product than what the Senate sent over."
Turner's subcommittee, which met for 90 minutes on Saturday afternoon, is expected to meet again on Monday. Amendments to the Senate's version of the bill are expected to be discussed.
The Senate version authorizes a sixth casino location in an area of Prince George's County that includes Rosecroft Raceway and National Harbor. The bill also authorizes table games in the state.
The Senate, which completed its work Friday, is not scheduled to reconvene until 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Because the law authorizing casinos is part of the Maryland Constitution, voters would have to approve the changes in a referendum vote on Nov. 6. The fate of the sixth casino location rests solely in the hands of the voters in Prince George's County who must vote in favor of the project in order for it to move forward.
Del. Jolene Ivey, a Prince George's County Democrat, raised concerns about one Senate provision that calls for one of the seven-member gaming commission to be appointed from a jurisdiction that currently have video slots facilities.
"It could be that that one member could be from Anne Arundel County and it could be, perhaps, I'm not saying it will be, that that member wouldn't necessarily look with kindness on certain other facilities," said Ivey.
Ivey declined to elaborate on her specific concerns following the meeting. Her comments appear to be directed toward Maryland Live! Casino and its owner David Cordish.
Cordish has been critical of the proposed Prince George's County facility.
Del. Eric Luedtke, a Montgomery County Democrat, said he shared Ivey's concerns and planned to offer an amendment creating a joint House-Senate committee to oversee the gaming commission.
Also of concern to Del. Melvin Stukes is a requirement that Baltimore City's local share of table game revenues to be spent on school construction.
"We need money for school construction but I don't think we let anything supersede our number one push," said Stukes. "When we came on board with this in 2007 it was property tax [reduction] not school construction."
Baltimore City's property tax rate is $2.268 per $100 of assessed value. That's more than double the $1.10 per $100 of assessed value in Baltimore County.
After the hearing, Stukes said he believes the House will amend the Senate bill to split the city's share of table game revenue between school construction, recreation and parks and property tax relief.
Any House amendments to the bill would require approval by the Senate.
The House Ways and Means subcommittee will resume its work on the bill some time Monday morning, Turner said. A vote on the bill by the full House of Delegates might not come before Tuesday.
"I think we have a lot of work to do but we'll move through it quickly," Turner said.
Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.
John
5:37 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
Money will do to: schools, tax relief, parks and recs.... all that means in GENERAL FUND. Sorry to hear the vote on this bill will be up to PG residents only---I won't get to vote NO.
MikeC
8:46 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Right, because we hear all the time how great schools are in Nevada and Mississippi because of the pick-m-up truck loads of money they get from gambling there. New Jersey's Atlantic City gives them loads of money, so how come they have one of the nation's highest property taxes in addition to trying to solve the problems gambling has brought to the state? Your money going to West Virginia and Delaware slots has done nothing for their education or poverty either.
Gambling is not a solution, its a problem. The only ones who win is the "house". Anyone who knows gambling knows that much.
Christopher Kidwell
9:41 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Problems gambling has brought to the state? Links and facts, MIkeC, or you are just spouting your own personal dislike (most likely religious motivated) of gambling.
Gambling is not a problem in the slightest when done correctly. Sure, you have a few people who get 'addicted' to gambling but we have means where people can intervene in that.
The problem with West Virginia and Delaware is that, by and large, the people in those two states are poor and there isn't much of an 'economy' to begin with.
MikeC
8:12 pm on Monday, August 13, 2012
University of Illinois study on crime and casinos: "12.4% of crime in casino counties would not be there if the casinos were not present" http://www.netnebraska.org/television/news/ne_connects/gambling/CasinosCrime.pdf
Georgia St. University study with too many points to mention: http://www2.gsu.edu/~psyjge/Fact/PG_%20Crime_04_10.pdf
U. of Wis. study finds total cost of Wis.'s problem gamblers was over $300k. http://www.wpri.org/Reports/Volume9/Vol9no6.pdf
Auburn University shows Societal Costs in mid-1990's being $13k-$53k/yr/pathological gambler including an early 1990's Maryland study showing a cost of $30k/yr/gambler, not pathological gambler, gambler, full stop: http://www.walkerd.people.cofc.edu/pubs/JGS1999.pdf
There's more. Do you need more?
Jim
7:21 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
A lot of money leaving the state of Maryland including mine it's in delaware
Ralph Morgan
7:56 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Typical of a Democratic administration....failure to live up their word. O'Malley doesn't get what he wants to it is a "special session". If they had let Ehrlich do this as he wanted...it would have been done right
Christopher Kidwell
10:00 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Personal viewpoint, Ralph. I personally feel that O'Malley is 'doing it right' by holding legislators over a barrel in order to 'get things done'. He's tried the nice route... now it's time to go nasty.
Joe
10:18 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Any man who said it was "a morally bankrupt way to fund education" and then turns around and pushes that "morally corrupt" funding is an immoral man.
Dona Mannino
8:12 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Will there be a racecasino at rosecroft raceway. The Md. Horseman have been waiting a long time
MikeC
8:40 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Its a terrible decision to depend upon gambling money for state revenue. It was a bad plan by both the Ehrlich and O'Malley administrations to rely on gambling. It brings a whole trail of problems with it that will cause the state to spend all the money they bring in with the casinos plus more to attempt to solve. Its lose, lose for Maryland.
Christopher Kidwell
9:43 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
What 'trail of problems'? You keep on spouting this every so often but you have yet to give specific example.
I'll be blunt: You aren't giving specific examples because there are none to give. You are the same as the people who insist on keeping the drug trade illegal: not wanting to admit that 'da law' doesn't work and we'd be better off legalizing and regulating that trade.
DARRELL HAMMERBACKER
9:38 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Put Casinos in every County and get it over with,its all about the buck anyway and if you notice all the money grubbers in this article are Democrats worrying who gets what and how much.
Christopher Kidwell
10:03 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Because they have been conned into thinking that there will be 'social issues' from casinos. I personally don't think that there will be any social issues from that, at least no more than from any other business.
Joe
10:19 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
I will pay the per machine fees and put 10 in my game room! Where is MY license Mr Immoral Owe'Malley?
Jannpls
9:43 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Just put slots in Seven- Elevens. Then they can be everywhere, no big casinos, no "not in my back yards", open 24/7, police already hang there, perfect.
John L.
10:03 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
This State is a joke. 'What's in it for me' is the theme for the politicians in their Special Session. For this state to have a casino on the level of Charlestown, would require much better thinking than that which is in our Gov't house of reps. Md. just does not 'get it'.
MikeC
8:20 pm on Monday, August 13, 2012
John L. doesn't get it. Why would the state allow a something that is a detriment to society, in which it is obligated to pick up the cost, if it weren't going to benefit? They have to weigh the costs to the state and benefits. Some are taken in by the benefit of lots of green. Some see the costs, which I've listed above and provided links, too great and don't want neighborhoods spoiled, increased crime, crushing debt on those who are drawn in and can't psychologically release themselves from the addiction that ruins them and their families, and just the plain reliance upon a destructive enterprise that is of great benefit to the owner and very few others.
John T.
10:43 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Today, the anwer to the States spending problems appears to be gambling revenue. What's next in a few years when that's not enough to feed their appetite for more spending?
Joe
11:12 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
This is next! Stop-sign cameras.
"Maryland right now allows only red-light cameras, but the town of Glen Echo wants the state legislature to expand government’s reach to include photo-ticketing for intersections with stop signs."
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/09/stop-sign-cameras-coming-next-to-your-town/
Joe
11:12 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
OH NO!!! Fox News as a source. This will wake up all those infected with FNDS.
Joe
8:43 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Frank, do you really think that at many stop signs, at many times of the day or night, with no traffic anywhere around, not having come to a 100% full complete stop, instead of maybe a 99.2% stop, according to a camera, is worthy of a $40 ticket?
Good to know Frank you are the worlds best driver and ALWAYS follow the law 100 % of the time and come to a 100% stop 100% of the time. Got self righteousness?
Steve Chapman
11:39 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
A casino at National Harbor is a no brainer. It will attract wealthy Northern Va. patrons who will leave their money there, as Marylanders were doing for years in Delaware and WVa. Then you have Perryville which is dying a slow death. No one goes there. A bad decision from the beginning.
John Dingedahl
11:51 am on Sunday, August 12, 2012
This whole gambling thing is a joke, lets look at what is happening now in the state gambling industry. First, Perryville is asking to return 500 machines to the state due to business being off by 32% since Maryland Live opened and it doesn't look it going to get better. Rocky Gap (mistake by the lake) investors, even before the ink is dry on the deal, wants to down size. Reason: they can not find backers to buiild the casino, why you ask? Who will come!!!. The casino in OC is down 7% from last July 2011, and this is tourist season! Now they want to add a 6th site. Go figure. Talk about saturation. This legislature and admnistration is so backwards. Flood the market and see what happens. Don't get started on '0n-line gambling. Thats real big trouble in the making.
Dave Williams
12:30 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2012
casinos leave money in politicians pockets and casino owners. Thats it. Wheres all the money from the lottery that was to help schools? Wheres all the raised taxes that where to help schools? How come Baltimore still has the worst schools in Md any yet gets more money per pupil than any other county? Why do we pay retired teachers to teach? We have thousands of kids graduating every year with no teaching jobs open. OMaley and the dems have sure helped this state,,, highest taxed state in the union,,, and a feel good self impossed best scools in the country claim.. Were 27th scholastic wise as measured by the federal government. Baltimore is one of the highest drop out cities in the nation. So,, NO to more gambling to pay politicians.
CINDY DAVIS
8:23 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Couldn't agree more, Dave Williams. It's just a means to get more money to misspend. Maryland government is more corrupt than most people realize. Folks need a major reality check.
Maureen of Maryland Hypnosis
5:10 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2012
I called our local representatives as well as our state senators office. In every case, the person answering my call was surprised that I was much less interested in the gambling issue AND much more interested in overturning that judge's decision to blame the breeds of dog known as a Pit Bull type. The dog issue is one that converns many families as well as our ethics as a state. No judge is entitled to make laws, that belongs only to our elected officials.
Roxane
10:31 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Since we've have the "number one public schools in the country" according to OweMalley, why do we need more money for education? After three years, no taxpayer has gotten a break regarding taxes, so why would anyone believe anything those people in Annapolis tell us? Vote against anything they want. The taxpayer will never see the benefit anyway.
M. Sullivan
9:17 am on Monday, August 13, 2012
The entire problem with Maryland casinos lies with the usual half-witted implementation generated by the masterminds in Annapolis. First, the original rules stipulated the highest tax rate in the country, no free drinks, short hours, and other ridiculous conditions. It's amazing that they got anyone to bid at all. Second, the locations are just plain stupid. Why build a casino in Perryville, just 20 minutes from Delaware Park? Why build the biggest casino in MD in the parking lot of the biggest mall in MD? Why build at Ocean Downs when real casino resorts in Atlantic City are on the other side of the Delaware Bay? Third, who decided it would be a good idea for the state to buy millions of dollars worth of machines? Is that the only way they could get any bidders?
We don't need more casinos. We need smart casinos that are set up like real casinos without all these silly MD restrictions, in smart locations to attract out of state money. Something close to VA is the best idea. Just close Ocean Downs or Perryville and move the machines there. After all, we own them. Too many casinos in the wrong places just dilutes the market. A casino in Baltimore City will just be a crime-ridden dump in no time.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. i can only conclude that the decisions on this issue made in Annapolis so far have been made from sheer stupidity or the usual MD corruption.
Penelope Patch
12:43 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Very well said! What I want to know is who came up with the idea that Maryland would own the machines and isn't that so convenient that once they are no longer needed we get them back. Sweet deal, eh?
Baltimore Matt
11:51 am on Monday, August 13, 2012
I thought gambling was supposed to save horsetracks...I guess it's only saving the mob presence in Baltimore.
Why not end the idea of large gambling institutions and allow bar owners to have slot machines? They could be regulated by the MD State Lottery. They can pay the state $1000 per machine/per year and must declare the profits with their business taxes. The current model only allows for the billion dollar companies already in the casino business to be at the table. We will never have fresh, local upstarts, in the casino business with our current model.
Ronald
7:02 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Been there - done that. Bar machines were the downfall of the industry years ago. Bothing beats drnking and gambling. Beside most 'clubs' hae slots for amusement only (you get paid in the back roon according to credits).
Robert Rowe
8:22 pm on Monday, August 13, 2012
The gaming industry in this state is so f***ed up I'm not sure I even want to play at any of the Maryland licensees once table games come to town. For darned sure will I not set foot into Perrysville EVER...serves Penn National right that that joint is in such decline after the stunt they pulled two Novembers ago (at OUR expense)!
jnrentz1
6:22 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
I wish one could gamble in Montgomery County.
Ronald
7:01 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Jst living in Mntgomery County is a gamble!
Joe
7:53 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Go here and see the traffic violators with outstanding arrest warrants wanted for driving with no license, no insurance, and NEVER SHOW for trial. You ARE gambling in MoCo.
http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/POL/districts/ISB/majorcrimes/Warrants/warrant.htm
Geoffrey Atkinson
8:34 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Tell the casino owners and legislatures in Nevada and NJ to pay a yearly stipend to MD... or we put in a casino.
Buck Harmon
8:52 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Casino's destroy human being lives and breed enormous corruption both in and out of government. They place loser drunks on the roads that otherwise might not be and deprive families of hard earned income through the illusion of being a winner. They breed addicts. Nothing good what so ever comes to the citizens of this or any state as a result. It is a corporate greed driven cycle being run by absolute corruption.
For the government to promote this kind of public destruction is criminal, and a clear sign of the direction that the entire country is headed. The apathetic, dumbed down public, ( who are the majority) don't have a clue. Those that buy into the illusion are just plain dumb.
Buck Harmon
8:55 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
All of the numbers thrown out in this blog are nothing more than "all the kings horses and all the kings men". Pure illusion. Lets here some educated comments for a change boys and girls.
Penelope Patch
12:39 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
I can just see the gaming folks in neighboring states having a good laugh over what they are seeing in Maryland. We have no one to blame but ourselves for voting these morons into office year after year.
shoesmallshop
10:44 am on Monday, September 10, 2012
We here have the best and most affordable . Football basketball clothing.
Suit jerseys. Track suit!Everything.Inexpensive.Synthesis. This is the comprehensive trade websit http://www.shoesmallshop.com/ integrated comprehensive foreign trade websiteke how you're trying to frame this game as close when the return TD shouldn't have counted and the Niners would have won by 2TDs. GB had no answer for the Niners' defense all day lo
shashengwan
6:40 am on Monday, November 19, 2012
The properties are expensive established http://www.coachoutletstoreps.com/Coach Outlet Store Online estates run between $1m and $8m, while undeveloped land costs from $3,000 to $5,000 per hectare, http://www.coachoutletonlinebd.com/Coach Outlet Online according to Luis Bonsegnor, president of Buenos Aires-based Christie's affiliate ReMind Group, which is http://www.coachoutletyo.com/Coach Outlet offering the 2,500-hectare estate Lago Bueno for $13m.Most of the buyers come from Europe and the US, says Bonsegnor, who http://www.guccibeltsmb.net/Gucci Belt adds that his firm makes two to four lodge sales each year.The properties always include their own water sources and are close to http://www.coachoutletonlinexc.net/Coach Factory Outlet an airport.At the opposite extreme is Portugal, whose upper-end real estate market has proved buoyant http://www.coachoutletstoreze.com/Coach Factory Outlet despite price decreases of between 4.5 and 15 per cent in nearby Paris and Rome, according to Knight Frank's http://www.guccibeltsoutletds.net/Gucci Belts early November Global Cities Guide. Local agents say Portugal's resiliency amid three years of economic contraction http://www.coachfactoryonlinefn.net/Coach Factory Outlet is a result of timing, smart planning, and good luck.