Two groups opposing the slot machine gambling referendum on the November ballot said Monday that they would not take any money from out-of-state gambling interests that might want to keep down competition from Maryland, as a pro-slots group has suggested they were willing to do.
But the head of the pro-slots coalition said the talk about contributions from national gaming interests was “a diversionary tactic” from the real consequences of defeating the slots referendum. “You?re going to have to raise taxes or cut spending,” said Fred Puddester, chairman of For Maryland For Our Future.
“If we don?t get the referendum, there?s a $600 [million]-to-$700 million hole in the budget,” Puddester said.
He declined to say whether his group ? which includes labor unions, business groups and county officials ? would accept contributions from gambling companies.
The current flap started with a July 3 news release about a paraphrased comment in the March 4 edition of The Sun from Aaron Meisner, chairman of Stop Slots Maryland, saying the group “had not ruled out taking money from out-of-state gambling interests.”
Puddester said in the release, “They?ve made it clear, on the record, that they intend to solicit out-of-state gaming money.”
Meisner called it “a ridiculous contortion” and “simply untrue.”
“We?ve never even had a conversation with the gambling industry about funding our efforts,” Meisner said. “We?ve always been grassroots and funded by the people of the state.”
Scott Arcenaux, an adviser to Marylanders United to Stop Slots, said the groups have not been approached by gaming interests, and they expected their funding to come from small donations of those opposed to slots, including restaurant and hotel owners whose businesses might be hurt.
Last Friday, the three major New York bond rating agencies continued Maryland?s triple A rating but raised concerns about next year?s budget if slots fail to pass.
“They want to talk about the social costs of slots, but they don?t want to talk about the social costs” of cuts in school funding or health aid that might follow the referendum?s defeat, said Puddester, a former Maryland budget secretary.
Meisner, a personal financial adviser, said, “The way you maintain your triple A bond rating is having a stable and sustainable revenue flow,” and slots revenue has been going down in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, N.J.
Puddester said with the cost of gas, Marylanders would be less willing to drive long distances to play slots in neighboring states.
