Senate Republicans told Gov. Martin O?Malley on Wednesday that they would not support any slot machine proposal during a special session, potentially derailing a key part of O?Malley?s deficit-reduction plan, since GOP votes were key to passing any slots legislation in the past.
“We feel that the whole purpose of calling a special session is to raise taxes,” said Senate Republican leader David Brinkley, Frederick-Carroll. “Slots is an option we need to be looking at,” but “we need to take the time to see the details.”
“They were counting on Republican support but they didn?t talk to us about it,” Brinkley said.
“I?m not comfortable voting for more revenues without seeing more spending cuts,” added Senate Minority Whip Alan Kittleman, Howard-Carroll.
Democrats immediately pounced on Republican “flip-flops” on slots, with Democratic Party Executive Director Quincy Gamble talking about Republicans? “shameful lack of character.” A majority of Republican senators, including Brinkley, voted for slot machines three times when they were proposed by Gov. Robert Ehrlich.
Slot machine proposals have split both parties, with many objecting to their negative impact on families, crime and the poor. House Speaker Michael Busch opposes slots, and slots bill have passed the House with more votes from Republican than Democrats.
Several House Republicans this week said they only voted for slots then because Ehrlich asked them to help keep the issue alive. “I would not vote for that again,” said Del. Susan Krebs, R-Carroll. “I know a lot of people who did not like that bill,” but voted for it.
Comptroller Peter Franchot plans to join fellow Democrats from Montgomery County and Baltimore City at a news conference today opposing slots in Baltimore and Silver Spring.
Testimony on slot machines from O?Malley?s Labor Secretary Tom Perez on Tuesday provided no new details about the governor?s proposal. Del. Frank Turner, D-Howard, chair of the subcommittee that will review the plan, said, “We?ve got a long way to go before we make any decisions about whether slots are good for Maryland.”
O?Malley issued a statement after the Republican announcement: “Over the last four years, the people of Maryland saw very clearly how easy it is for their government to bicker and accomplish nothing. But our challenge now is to find consensus and get things done before the very people we are sworn to serve and protect are harmed by obstruction and inaction in Annapolis.”
