Aug 19, 2008 5:30 pm US/Eastern
Wording Of Slots Referendum Causes Controversy
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ―
-
-
Slots in Maryland is an issue voters will decide in November, but the wording of the issue has become a battleground for slots opponents.
CBS
Slots in Maryland is an issue voters will decide in November, but the wording of the issue has become a battleground for slots opponents.
Political reporter Pat Warren explains what the referendum does and doesn't say.
There may be more than meets the eye to the slots question on the November ballot, but Secretary of State John McDonough says it's everything that it needs to be.
"I summarize what's in there, and I can't summarize what's not in there. It's really that straightforward," McDonough said.
Slots opponents have accused the Secretary of conflict of interest.
"For 20 years, he was a lobbyist for the racing industry and now he's in charge of writing the language. We've asked him to step aside and ask someone else to do it," said Comptroller Peter Franchot.
"I've seen the Comptroller a number of times, and he's never mentioned it to me," McDonough said.
In fact, Baltimore City Delegate Sandy Rosenberg confirms that all voters are being asked is whether they want slots to pay for education, how many machines there should be and where.
"The constitutional amendment does not speak to horse racing or to gambling," Rosenberg said.
Information on the complete slots proposal is available at the State Department of Legislative Services.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Jewish Celebrities
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
