The question of legalizing slots and gambling has been driven by organizations that stand to profit immensely from it passing, and thanks to these organizations shelling out huge wads of cash to our esteemed leaders we now get to vote on it.

The whole idea of them using a slogan like (made up example)"o GodS Please thINk oF THE ChilDreNs, pass Question 2!" makes me want to hit someone.

The proposed purpose of the MD LOTTO was to pay for education, did that work out?? No I think not.
From my personal observations: A lot of the borderline crack heads types in Piney Point that have no jobs, no will power to get jobs, on section 8, generally moocher types, loves them some of that lotto action. 5-6 of the same bunch sit at the little store all day and drink booze and play keno.

Now people will scream about not "judging" people who want a quick way out, but from what I have seen gambling is just the grifting of stupid people. Ever hear of the phrase THE HOUSE AWAYS WINS, Know any one who has WON?

My point to this rant so far is: The lotto has not helped more than it has hurt and was a bad idea. Why would slots be any different???

:smack:

If MD is in a cash crunch it will be tightening the purse strings that will help, not things like this that are thrown out there as a way to FIX IT QUICK. The states budget was 14 billion for 2008 is there not any way to get rid of things that are not needed? Maybe we should stop building stadiums for teams that suck!

I hate these company's that weasel there way into things like this.... on the front of the post card I got in the mail is this (exact quote) "Question 2 provides revenue for public safety and other vital services without raising taxes."

GIVE ME A BREAK TAXES ARE GONNA GO UP NO MATTER WHAT WITH PEOPLE IN OFFICE WHO SPEND LIKE CRAZY!

I don't care if someone gives a really lame reason for legalizing slots - I still think it's a good idea even if they burn the money.

The biggest reason, and it's a compelling one, is that there already exists a substantial base of people who gamble on slots in Maryland. Except they don't gamble IN Maryland. They're blowing bucks gambling, but the proceeds are helping out folks in the neighboring states instead. They're going to West Virginia and Delaware and Pennsylvania to spend money they could just as easily blow here at home.

The result is a financial drain on the state's economy that our neighbors are profiting from, because THEIR laws allow it. If we allow it, there's no net drain. The money stays here.

The second is more philosophical. Why not? Why should we have some silly law that says you can't drop coins into a machine hoping it will pay out, but you can drop the same money on Keno and scratch-offs all day long?

I don't care if they waste the money in Annapolis - I just don't want it wasted in Harrisburg, Charleston or Dover.

I don't care if someone gives a really lame reason for legalizing slots - I still think it's a good idea even if they burn the money.

The biggest reason, and it's a compelling one, is that there already exists a substantial base of people who gamble on slots in Maryland. Except they don't gamble IN Maryland. They're blowing bucks gambling, but the proceeds are helping out folks in the neighboring states instead. They're going to West Virginia and Delaware and Pennsylvania to spend money they could just as easily blow here at home.

The result is a financial drain on the state's economy that our neighbors are profiting from, because THEIR laws allow it. If we allow it, there's no net drain. The money stays here.

The second is more philosophical. Why not? Why should we have some silly law that says you can't drop coins into a machine hoping it will pay out, but you can drop the same money on Keno and scratch-offs all day long?

I don't care if they waste the money in Annapolis - I just don't want it wasted in Harrisburg, Charleston or Dover.

:yay:
Also, some MD horse tracks have a good chance of going under at some point in the (fairly near) future since they lose business to the border states that actually have slots.
I have to agree with "why not?" There is no good reason, IMO, to not have slots in MD...and there are quite a few for having them.

I don't care if someone gives a really lame reason for legalizing slots - I still think it's a good idea even if they burn the money.

The biggest reason, and it's a compelling one, is that there already exists a substantial base of people who gamble on slots in Maryland. Except they don't gamble IN Maryland. They're blowing bucks gambling, but the proceeds are helping out folks in the neighboring states instead. They're going to West Virginia and Delaware and Pennsylvania to spend money they could just as easily blow here at home.

The result is a financial drain on the state's economy that our neighbors are profiting from, because THEIR laws allow it. If we allow it, there's no net drain. The money stays here.

The second is more philosophical. Why not? Why should we have some silly law that says you can't drop coins into a machine hoping it will pay out, but you can drop the same money on Keno and scratch-offs all day long?

I don't care if they waste the money in Annapolis - I just don't want it wasted in Harrisburg, Charleston or Dover.

Ok, but explain why it needs to be a constitutional amendment.

I don't care if someone gives a really lame reason for legalizing slots - I still think it's a good idea even if they burn the money.

The biggest reason, and it's a compelling one, is that there already exists a substantial base of people who gamble on slots in Maryland. Except they don't gamble IN Maryland. They're blowing bucks gambling, but the proceeds are helping out folks in the neighboring states instead. They're going to West Virginia and Delaware and Pennsylvania to spend money they could just as easily blow here at home.

The result is a financial drain on the state's economy that our neighbors are profiting from, because THEIR laws allow it. If we allow it, there's no net drain. The money stays here.

The second is more philosophical. Why not? Why should we have some silly law that says you can't drop coins into a machine hoping it will pay out, but you can drop the same money on Keno and scratch-offs all day long?

I don't care if they waste the money in Annapolis - I just don't want it wasted in Harrisburg, Charleston or Dover.

I agree, but my problem with the slots is that they will only be allowed to go to the buddies of politicians who got bought off. Want to legalize slots? Fine. Do it. Just don't pick and choose who gets them based on who gives the most in donations to politicians. :boo:

Ok, but explain why it needs to be a constitutional amendment.

I was wondering that too. Also, IMO, the default position for anyone when it comes to constitutional amendments should be "No". Only give them a "Yes" if you've thought long and hard about all aspects of the amendment and then agree with it.

Actual text of the ammendment?

AN ACT concerning
Video Lottery Terminals Authorization and Limitations

FOR the purpose of adding a new article to the Maryland Constitution to authorize video lottery terminal gaming in the State for the primary purpose of providing funds for public education; limiting the number of licenses that the State may issue to operate video lottery terminals; limiting the number of locations at which video lottery terminal facilities may be located; limiting the number of video lottery terminals that may be authorized in the State; providing that the statutory addition or expansion of forms of commercial gaming by the General Assembly is prohibited except as provided by this Act; defining a certain term; and submitting this amendment to the qualified voters of the State of Maryland for their adoption or rejection.

BY proposing an addition to the Maryland Constitution

New Article XIX Video Lottery Terminals

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, (Three fifths of all the members elected to each of the two Houses concurring), That it be proposed that the Maryland Constitution read as follows:

ARTICLE XIX

VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINALS

1. (A) THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT APPLY TO:

(1) LOTTERIES CONDUCTED UNDER TITLE 9, SUBTITLE 1 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND;

(2) WAGERING ON HORSE RACING CONDUCTED UNDER TITLE 11 OF THE BUSINESS REGULATION ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND; OR

(3) GAMING CONDUCTED BY A BONA FIDE FRATERNAL, CIVIC, WAR VETERANS', RELIGIOUS, OR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION, VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, OR SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR ORGANIZATION INCLUDED UNDER TITLE 12 OR TITLE 13 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND.

(B) IN THIS ARTICLE, 'VIDEO LOTTERY OPERATION LICENSE' MEANS A LICENSE ISSUED TO A PERSON THAT ALLOWS PLAYERS TO OPERATE VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINALS.

(C) (1) THE STATE MAY ISSUE UP TO FIVE VIDEO LOTTERY OPERATION LICENSES THROUGHOUT THE STATE FOR THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF RAISING REVENUE FOR:

(I) EDUCATION FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE STATE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PREKINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 12;

(II) PUBLIC SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND PUBLIC SCHOOL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS; AND

(III) CONSTRUCTION OF CAPITAL PROJECTS AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND 4 YEAR
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

(2) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION, THE STATE MAY NOT AUTHORIZE THE OPERATION OF MORE THAN 15,000 VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINALS IN THE STATE.

(3) A VIDEO LOTTERY OPERATION LICENSE ONLY MAY BE AWARDED FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:

(I) ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, WITHIN 2 MILES OF MD ROUTE 295;

(II) CECIL COUNTY, WITHIN 2 MILES OF INTERSTATE 95;

(III) WORCESTER COUNTY, WITHIN 1 MILE OF THE INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 50 AND
ROUTE 589;

(IV) ON STATE PROPERTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROCKY GAP LODGE AND GOLF RESORT IN ALLEGANY COUNTY; OR

(V) BALTIMORE CITY, IN A NONRESIDENTIAL AREA WITHIN ONE HALF MILE OF INTERSTATE 95 AND MD ROUTE 295, AND NOT ADJACENT TO OR WITHIN ONE QUARTER MILE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.

(D) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION, ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 15, 2008, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY NOT AUTHORIZE ANY ADDITIONAL FORMS OR EXPANSION OF COMMERCIAL GAMING.

(E) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL FORMS OR EXPANSION OF COMMERCIAL GAMING IF APPROVAL IS GRANTED THROUGH A REFERENDUM, AUTHORIZED BY AN ACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN A GENERAL ELECTION BY A MAJORITY OF THE QUALIFIED VOTERS IN THE STATE.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the General Assembly determines that the amendment to the Maryland Constitution proposed by this Act affects multiple jurisdictions and that the provisions of Article XIV, § 1 of the Maryland Constitution concerning local approval of constitutional amendments do not apply.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the aforegoing section proposed as an amendment to the Maryland Constitution shall be submitted to the legal and qualified voters of this State at the next general election to be held in November, 2008 for their adoption or rejection pursuant to Article XIV of the Maryland Constitution. At that general election, the vote on this proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be by ballot, and upon each ballot there shall be printed the words 'For the Constitutional Amendment' and 'Against the Constitutional Amendment,' as now provided by law. Immediately after the election, all returns shall be made to the Governor of the vote for and against the proposed amendment, as directed by Article XIV of the Maryland Constitution, and further proceedings had in accordance with Article XIV.

Explore Carroll: EAGLE EXTRA: Slots Constitutional Amendment (http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/529/eagle%20extra:%20slots/)

The other thing is...why only certain named counties?

Shouldn't that be up to each individual county to decide?

The other thing is...why only certain named counties?

Shouldn't that be up to each individual county to decide?

Exactly, they are doing it this way so they can reward their cronies and control it themselves without oversight. If they make it legal it should be legal to anyone who meets the criteria for a permit...and none of that subjective permit crap where they meet in a backroom and decide. Set criteria, spelled out specifically.

Exactly, they are doing it this way so they can reward their cronies and control it themselves without oversight. If they make it legal it should be legal to anyone who meets the criteria for a permit...and none of that subjective permit crap where they meet in a backroom and decide. Set criteria, spelled out specifically.

From what I understand the owners of the race tracks aremstly from canada. Why should Maryland split the slot money with canadians , or anyone els for that matter, If maryland wants to have slots let maryland run them and keep all the money, The split doesnt make sense.

It appears like Cronyism and outright bribes to me, but I could be wrong, the only thing I know for sure is that St, Marys will see damned little of any slot money.

I am voting against it, but making this little bet, If the public turns it down it will come before the Legislature and they will pass it , with or without us,