Supporters of a Prince George’s County casino face a formidable obstacle in getting a deal they thought they had secured earlier this week to be passed in a special session — Gov. Martin O’Malley, who blames gambling for the legislature’s embarrassing inability to finish their work on time.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller wants the gambling bill that Senate and House leaders embraced — one that would authorize a referendum for table games and a casino in Prince George’s County — to be given a chance in the General Assembly.
So does Prince George’ County Executive Rushern Baker, who touts a $1 billion casino at National Harbor as a major new revenue stream.
“I’d like to see the agreement that we had in place, that we all shook hands on, become law,” said Miller, D-Calvert and Prince George’s.
The casino, which must be approved by voters statewide and in Prince George’s County under the latest version of a gambling bill that cleared a House panel vote, could generate $69 million annually for the county, according to Baker.
“This proposal will have a long-term positive impact on both county and state revenues as well as our economic development efforts in the county so, yes, we will still be encouraging the General Assembly to enact the measure during the special session,” said spokesman Scott Peterson.
But they’ll have a hard time convincing Gov. Martin O’Malley that it’s worth the legislature’s time to take up gambling during a special session needed to avoid roughly $512 million in “doomsday” budget cuts that would take effect without passing higher income taxes for all Marylanders earning more than $100,000 annually.
The governor joined House Speaker Michael Busch, D-Anne Arundel, in blaming Miller’s “addiction to gaming” as the reason for the General Assembly’s breakdown.
Even lawmakers in favor of a Prince George’s County casino recognize the dire situation the legislature has left Maryland in.
“I support the referendum bill, but the only thing we need to do in that General Assembly is [pass] a revenue package that allows the state of Maryland to keep its commitment to education,” said Del. Justin Ross, D-Prince George’s. “I am perfectly OK with us doing just that.”
O’Malley said Thursday he’s prepared to call a special session but only once leaders in the House and Senate reach a deal on the budget. Until then, it’d be a waste of taxpayers’ money to call lawmakers back to Annapolis, he said.
