Md. Lawmakers Begin Special Session On Expanded Gambling ...

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ/AP)? Gambling is just one of the contentious issues on the table as lawmakers convene for the special session.

Political Reporter Pat Warren has the latest on the casino clash.

Gov. Martin O?Malley says that taking action now means more gambling revenue for the state in the future, but first, he?s gambling for a win in the General Assembly.

To get Maryland in the gaming competition, Gov. O?Malley proposes tax breaks for casinos and table games to lure customers and a new casino at the National Harbor, most of which is being challenged.

Special Session Gambling Day 1: A protest launched by anti-gambling forces from Prince George?s County.

?We want good-paying jobs with benefits in Prince George?s County,? county resident Auther Turner said. ?And we do not see casinos as the way to do that.?

But Gov. O?Malley says his bill is in the best interest of the state.

?I?m confident that the people of Prince George?s, when given the opportunity, will approve a site,? he said.

But Prince George?s residents opposed to a National Harbor casino think otherwise.

?They are taking advantage of voter ignorance and they?re taking advantage of us, period, as Prince Georgians,? resident Lisa Ellis said.

?And we are sick and tired of legislators that would try to foist a casino down our throats,? Rev. Jonathan Weaver of the Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church said.

Before residents take matters into their own hands, it has to clear the General Assembly.

?It?s a daunting task, very daunting task, to try to reach an agreement and we?ll see what happens,? Senate President Mike Miller said.

The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee is expected to vote on the measure Thursday night allowing table games and a new casino site. It will go from committee to a full Senate vote as early as Friday.

The bill is expected to pass the Senate, although there will be some strong debate.

Republicans were critical of the plan.

Sen. Nancy Jacobs, who represents parts of Cecil and Harford counties, noted that a casino in Perryville in her district recently announced it wants to return 400 to 500 slot machines due to declining business caused by the opening of the state?s largest casino in Anne Arundel County.

The bill is expected to head to the General Assembly on Saturday. Voters would have to approve the gambling expansion in November.

The gambling measure would lower the state?s 67 percent tax rate on gambling proceeds by varying degrees for the five casinos currently allowed in the state and for the new casino.

The bill would also allow casinos to keep six percent more revenue if they buy or lease slot machines. Currently, the state must own the machines, a provision in the law that has cost the state tens of millions of dollars.

A casino in Anne Arundel County and a planned casino in Baltimore would get an additional five percent of the proceeds, which would have to be spent on marketing and capital improvements. Political contributions from gambling entities would be banned. Casinos could be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Source: http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/08/09/md-lawmakers-begin-special-session-on-expanded-gambling/

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