Update 1:02 p.m.: Thirteen Prince George’s County delegates have signed a letter in support of a gambling bill that would allow a sixth Maryland casino in the county.
Del. Veronica Turner has also signed the letter. A copy provided to The Washington Examiner by county officials Friday afternoon with 12 signatures was incomplete, according to County Executive Rushern Baker’s staff.
Officials are still collecting signatures in support of the gambling bill, staff said.
Original Post:
ANNAPOLIS – A slim majority of Prince George’s County delegates favor a gambling bill that would allow a sixth Maryland casino in the county, as long as the investment in the facility’s construction closely matches the $1 billion destination casino proposed by County Executive Rushern Baker.
Twelve of the 23 members of the Prince George’s House delegation signed a letter sent to Del. Sheila Hixson, chairwoman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which must vote on the gambling bill.
Delegates urged the committee to amend the bill with a provision that would require a roughly $800 million minimum investment in the casino’s construction — the measure would increase the minimum investment requirement from $25 million per 500 slot machines to no less than $85 million per 500 machines.
The delegates also requested a goal of 30 percent minority participation for the operation of the casino.
And the letter stressed that, while it’s up to the state Video Lottery Location Commission to determine the exact site for a casino in the county, the delegates feel the best site is National Harbor.
“It is best situated to attract out-of-state visitors, maximize return to the county and the state, would require the least amount of public infrastructure and investment, and would have the least amount of impact on surrounding communities,” they wrote.
Del. Frank Turner, a Howard County Democrat who heads the subcommittee now responsible for the bill, said lawmakers would meet Saturday to discuss the legislation.
The delegates who signed on in support of the gambling bill are:
- Del. Ben Barnes, District 21
- Del. Justin Ross, District 22
- Del. Jay Walker, District 26
- Del. Kris Valderrama, District 26
- Del. Barbara Frush, District 21
- Del. Carolyn J.B. Howard, District 24
- Del. Jolene Ivey, District 47
- Del. Dereck Davis, District 25
- Del. Joseph Vallario, District 27,
- Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith, District 23
- Del. Michael Summers, District 47
- Del. James Hubbard, District 23
