Voters likely to have final say on slots

The Senate moved a step closer Thursday by supporting Gov. Martin O?Malley?s plan to install 15,000 slot machines at five locations but also allow voters to give the final say to the gambling measure on the 2008 ballot. It could raise about $500 million for education by 2012.

The Senate voted 30 to 17 to approve the referendum and the governor?s plan, with six liberal Democrats from the Washington suburbs joining 11 Republicans in opposing the plan. The referendum still must be voted upon by the full Senate.