Facing an estimated $85 million in cuts to state aid, Baltimore County officials are rallying behind Gov. Martin O?Malley?s plan to close Maryland?s $1.7 billion deficit ? even if that means bringing slots to the county, theysaid.
The governor?s “doomsday” budget released this week identifies slashed open-space grants, community college funding, and frozen teacher and librarians? retirements, among other losses, if lawmakers do not approve his tax and slots proposal during a special session next week.
Gathered in Annapolis with Democratic administrators from across the state to support O?Malley?s plan, Smith remained vague on slots, but said they do not belong at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.
His spokesman said, however, other locations are on the table.
“He?s open to discussions on various other locations in Baltimore County that would make sense,” county spokesman Don Mohler said.
Several members of the County Council, including Carney Democrat Joe Bartenfelder and Dundalk Democrat John Olszewski, said they would support slots ? depending on the location.
However, Bartenfelder said the county is not being considered for slots, nor will be.
“If we had legalized slots a few years ago, we wouldn?t be in the situation we are now,” Bartenfelder said.
Financial consultants cautioned that O?Malley?s threatened cuts ? and the accompanying property tax increases county executives are predicting ? require significant presumption.
Anirban Basu, who chairs the county?s economic advisory council, said much of O?Malley?s budget is mere “political posturing.”
“He has to light a fire under these legislators and, undoubtedly, this is part of his strategy,” Basu said.
O?Malley is proposing a penny increase in the state sales tax, increasing income taxes for the state?s wealthiest, increasing corporate taxes and reducing property taxes. The governor also backs legalized slots machines.
Under the proposal, 97 percent of Baltimore County?s residents would pay less income tax, according to Smith.
