It's only confusing if you believe that anything that comes out of O'Malley's mouth isn't for his own self-aggrandizement and future political aspirations.

"We voted to allow slots under certain parameters and now we agreed they change those parameters. They LIED to the Marylanders plain and simple. THEY LIED!"

Dude, chill. Why are your posts always over the top and psycho sounding? "General Assembly approved a bill that will allow voters the chance to approve...." It's a referendum. Vote how you want. If you lose, deal with it. No one really cares what you think about people being able to play poker in MD instead of taking their money to WVA or NJ.

Please help improve the quality of Patch comments by clicking the "Flag as inappropriate" link while you are logged in.

People should stop personally attacking posters which seems their modus operandi. If you don;t want to debate the issues don;t attack the poster.

A comment by user "Joe" was removed because it violated Patch terms of use prohibiting abusive and misleading comments.

A comment by user "Frank" was removed because it violated Patch terms of use prohibiting abusive comments.

A comment by user "Joe" was removed because it violated Patch terms of use prohibiting abusive.

Frank: You're right. I meant to remove it that one, too. It's gone.

Good work Mr Sears. When attacked personally by these cyber bullies I will return the same and you will be busy deleting posts.

Whereas all of life is a gamble, most animals and most humans try to pursue courses of action where the actions will ensure their survival. Gambling casinos attract people who enjoy reckless risks. If we really want to increase the probability that crime will increase in Maryland, this is an excellent idea!!!

Keep going Joe. You are correct. But if we allow Obama to get away with lieing about Obamacare not being a tax and then arguing that it is a tax in front of the Supreme Court why aren't you blogging about him. Annapolis is only taking Obama's lead.

Have you ever been to AC? Most of it is a run-down crime-ridden dump.

LOL! While I heartily agree with your first idea, I'm not sure Franchot is a good replacement.

Baltimore Matt,
Comptroller Franchot is only doing what the MD constitution says he must do, collect taxes. His office has no say in policy issues, they are only tasked with writing the tax laws AFTER the GA has created and passed them.
Everyone thinks Mr. Franchot is a fiscal conservative but before you place the crown on his head please go back and check his record when he was a member of the General Assembly, you might change your mind.
Just saying.

Baltimore Matt, I second what Joan said - Willy Don would have shown up at your door to argue with you but the current governor will just have his security detail take you in for questioning and then probably have charges filed against you. Just sayin'...

Why should we live in fear of what we say about the tyrant and chief O'Malley?...if he were to do anything it would simply prove my point that he is a shaddy mobster that needs to be removed by any means necessary.

I am not threatening to behead him but the type of politics he plays is a slippery slope to those that have gotten political figures offed (sometimes by beheading) throughout history.

I strongly agree with DS.

Boo choice. Boo tourism. Boo private investment. Boo revenue. Boo jobs.

Why is gambling only OK if the government is so deeply involved in it? If you really support consumer choice and more rights, legalize gambling and let private companies build whatever they want to pay for themselves. Tax their profits as we would with any other company.

"I don't see how any self respecting Republican can be against table games."

I don't see how any self respecting person can be a democrat.

Sean, Sean, Sean...Name calling again. TSK,TSK,TSK!

H. R., I am for that too, but we do need regulations or the corporations will run amok. That's how it is in reality.

Skip, calling the Tea Party "loony" is not name calling. It is a comment on a political movement. Name calling would be me calling you something derogatory.

Sean,
Semantics, Sir. But to each his/her own.

David, they are against gambling because O'Malley is for it now. Most "Libertarians" that I know are actually Republicans, or at least that is how they vote.

David - I am a registered Libertarian and I feel adults should be able make their own choices, and be responsible for the consequences of just about any activity that does not harm others. This includes gambling. My problem with the nonsense in Annapolis is that the government's role in this should be to legalize it and then get the heck out of the way and let private enterprise build, own and manage it from there. The goons in Annapolis are playing the part of the mafia - getting their cut in the interest of "kids" and "jobs". Yeah, right.

JayDee: You don't think gambling harms anyone?

"Most "Libertarians" that I know are actually Republicans"

Why are you are calling your libertarian friends liars? Is their word not good enough for you?

Dana- that's not what the man said.

Let me spin that around on you: do you think the government telling us all what to do doesn't harm anyone? Government's all over the world sure harmed a lot of people over the past century.

Dana Schwartz- People should be responsible for their own actions. If you gamble and lose your house - it doesn't harm me, but adults need to be responsible for their own actions. Self-inflicted wounds are the responsibility of the person who pulled the trigger, or in this case, the slot machine arm.

"Dana Schwartz- People should be responsible for their own actions. If you gamble and lose your house - it doesn't harm me, but adults need to be responsible for their own actions. Self-inflicted wounds are the responsibility of the person who pulled the trigger, or in this case, the slot machine arm."

If your next door neighbor loses their house and it gets foreclosed it can affect your housing price. They could also lose their job and then not contribute to taxes, affecting what money is available for services for everyone. Those are just two ways that it would affect you.

Also, to gamble and lose your house means you have a serious problem and are in need of help. It smacks of extreme cruelty to say you're okay with that and people should just "be responsible for their own actions."

JayDee: Unfortunately, we are all harmed by gambling, if as I expect you include increased costs to yourself as harm. Our insurance rates will go up due to the increase in crime, our taxes will go up to provide additional police protection, needed improvements to the transportation infrastructure, and social programs for addiction, health insurance costs will go up for treatment of addictions, and of course property values will decrease costing you resale value.

Corbin Dallas- if someone has such a gambling problem that they are on the verge of losing their home, it is the responsibility of their family, friends and associates to recognize the problem and get them help. You are extremely arrogant for wanting to curb the behavior of responsible adults.

H.R.: Unfortunately, that's not how it usually works. Costs usually are covered by insurance or by social programs,( = taxes ). Which means it costs all of us. If their actions only affected themselves, that would be fine with me. But why should others be allowed to make choices that cost ALL of us money?

"Corbin Dallas- if someone has such a gambling problem that they are on the verge of losing their home, it is the responsibility of their family, friends and associates to recognize the problem and get them help. You are extremely arrogant for wanting to curb the behavior of responsible adults."

Nice try, where did I say I was in favor of curbing the behavior of responsible adults?

My point was that if you are going to have gambling, you're going to have addicts or other irresponsible gamblers, and it is irresponsible on the part of others to say that the actions of addicts or other irresponsible gamblers do not affect others in any way. I already pointed out several indirect affects on others: losing their job means losing tax income, losing their house means lowering housing prices. Am I wrong about those two suggestions?

If you want to have gambling in this State, fine, but you can go about having it while not being either ignorant of its effects on the population and unsympathetic to those who might need help once its presence is broadened.

Corbin- Yes, you are wrong. I don't think a gambling addict who loses their home has an measurable effect on prices. Someone else will swoop in and purchase the home, and pay associated taxes.

Dana- you say: "why should others be allowed to make choices that cost ALL of us money?" Do you have kids in public schools? If so, you made a choice that costs all of us money.

H.R.: Nope, no children in public schools - never have and never will. My choice. Yet I've had to pay Prince George's school taxes for over 30 years.

Dana- are you opposed to public schools on the grounds that they cost others money?

No, just answering your question.

Then I'm sure you see how inconsistent you reasoning is.

Oh, now I see your point! Since I'm against legalized gambling, I should also be against public education. I'll think about that. ;)

You specifically stated "why should others be allowed to make choices that cost us ALL money?" If you apply that logic consisently, you should really be opposed to all government programs.

"I don't think a gambling addict who loses their home has an measurable effect on prices."

That's you making an assumption about every possible outcome. Perhaps some do, perhaps some don't. http://homebuying.about.com/od/4closureshortsales/qt/0507-4-closeval.htm

Saying it has no effect is still crazy.

I probably would allow pot to be smoked state wide, by the way.

Sean, I don't agree with your opinions very often, but I like this idea. I think creating a Debauchery Zone in the city and one in each surrounding county would alleviate some of the problems that creep into residential areas. Gambling houses, saloons, brothels, bordellos, prostitution, peep shows, strip joints, glory hole houses, bath houses. hukka bars, grog houses, opium dens, pot smoking houses, crack houses, etc. Let almost any type of behavior go on in the zone. A Dodge City of sorts. But along with this must come harsh penalties for anyone or any business conducting this stuff outside of the zone. The strip joint owners on The Block asked for such a zone a dozen years ago when the City dismantled the Block, but the businesses were told that they were on their own to relocate. That's when the places like the glory hole shack on Southwestern Blvd. near the MARC station showed up throughout the counties. There will always be a certain market for this stuff and most of the patrons are willing to drive to a remote location to get their entertainment. No government is able to squash this stuff, so they should simply try to contain it.

Hey Baltimore Matt!! I agree with you 100% in that it would have been better for small gambling operations in bars/restaurants, and small gambling halls owned by whoever can pay a per-machine/table fee, Also, I agree with you 100% that large gambling corporations are not bringing their corporate headquarters and corporate taxes to Maryland. Also, there’s no doubt to me that state legislators are being pushed around by gambling reps. However, I believe they didn’t set it up that way is because they assume Maryland voters wouldn’t approve it since there is an increase chance voters feel small casinos would be too close to where they live. Maryland Live was approved basically because voters who live far away from Arundel Mills Mall voted to have it at the mall. In addition, the rules were created so Cordish have an advantage over the Jockey Club in locating a slots parlor in AA County (believe me I was involved in trying to stop slots from being located at Arundel Mills Mall and the whole process was disgusting from the switching of politicians promises to the changing and set-up of rules to Cordish advantage).

The law does allow for small gambling operations in places like VFW halls etc. etc.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/baltimorecounty/news/ph-at-legion-slots-0822-20120815,0,4747166.story?track=rss

It's not to bring in money from other States. It's about keeping maryland money from going to other States.

Thank you, Matt, for injecting some sense into this comment section. Keep gambling on a small, local level and it doesn't bring the multitude of costly problems casinos will add.

Who would know if they were? Can you send me a list of who is in the mob? Does anyone know what really went on in NJ and why those casino big shots withdrew their applications when questioned about ties to 'Chinese Mobsters'?

Ronald, MGM Resorts International, the people who want to build a casino in National Harbor, are in a 50-50 partnership with Pansy Ho for the MGM Macau resort and casino. Pansy Ho is the daughter of casino magnate Stanley Ho, who is rumored to have connections to the Chinese mob. MGM Resorts was also a partner of Boyd Gaming in ownership of the Borgata in Atlantic City. When the New Jersey Casino Control Commission learned of the Macau deal, they balked, due to a well-founded fear of any mob influence in AC casinos. The commission gave MGM an ultimatum; cut ties with the Ho family or sell their share of Borgata. MGM chose to go with the greatest money potential and leave AC. This is where all these "mob ties" stories come from that the casino opponents are using.

LOL, yeah, right. Those casinos are just full of ppl on welfare.

A. you've never been to a casino, apparently.
B. how on earth would you know who's on welfare? You go around asking people? All this talk of keeping "them" on "plantation"s makes it pretty clear that you're just being a racist and assuming a black person in a casino means they're gambling a welfare check. Bravo.

jag Dude, chill. Why are your posts always over the top and psycho sounding?

Joe, chill, why don't you go get another handful of comments deleted by spending your day calling everyone names?

There are significantly more 'white' people on welfare and food stamps than 'black' people. The biggest losers are the blue hairs that have nothing better to do with their pension and social security checks.

jag, if you don't like it aimed at you, don;t aim yours at others. See how simple that is?

Anf Frank, calling the kettle black are you pot?

No Frank, I do not agree. There is no way to know but the newly signed bill does prevent MD's EBT cards from being used at the casino's, so someone knew something and thought it was a issue to be dealt with.

Agree. I never had the chance to vote for or against Mr Miller, yet he controls most aspects of my quality of life in Maryland. The only solution I can see is term limits.

Hey Ronald and Dana!! I agree with the two of you!!!

The problem is that so many in Maryland live their lives on the government payroll and on government assistance...so they what to keep the liar in office so they can continue to live with their hands out!!!

They did, in 2005 the house passed a slots bill. As Yogi Berra says, "you could look it up". Robo Bob didn't like it that his backers, the racetrack gang, didn't get the slots. He took his ball and went home.

I'll bet my next paycheck that Cathy Vitalie won't comment on this issue. She never answers questions - just runs her mouth and pushes her agenda. What a pathetic excuse for a State Representative and human being.

In the interest of gambling, I'll bet that we won't hear much about any of this in the run-up to November. I saw one anti-casino ad in the past week and many more paid for by the casino lobby (you know, those poor people burdened by over-regulation and high taxes so much so that they have to search high and low to find the $100,000's to buy ads amongst their $10,000,000's of easy money they leach off their naive customer base.)

Jim, thanks for pointing out an important provision of the legislation that has not really been covered. Although an amendment was proposed to provide similiar types of personal property tax exemptions in other areas of business, particularly helpful to small businesses, we did not get enough votes in the house. When the issue was raised in the discussion on the Senate floor, it is my understanding that no one took up the challenge to explain why.

Hey Cathy V. - we're still waiting for a response on your position for taking the ability of the County Exec. to appoint the Police Chief away? Why not answer one question before you sound off about others?

Do you have a source for these figures? I'd like to know more.

"Maryland taxes the gambling earning at 67%....adjoining states tax earnings at 4%....no one who gambles will be doing it in Maryland...."

I'm not sure if you mean to imply that if I win at the Slots I'd have to pay 67%, but that analysis doesn't say that from a quick reading. It is saying the operator gets their earnings taxed at 67%:

"Currently in Maryland, only slot machines (VLTs) are allowed at the casinos and gross gaming (slot) revenues are taxed at a flat rate of 67%." (Page 24)

This page has information on how Maryland taxes Gambling Winnings: http://individuals.marylandtaxes.com/incometax/estimated/gambling.asp
It looks like it is simply treated as income.

There isn't any 4% in your report. Having checked out all the tax rates and the, more accurate, effective tax rates I now see why most states are wasting resources welcoming gambling into their neighborhoods. Nevada's and New Jersey's (lowest of any state) 8% tax rate explains why both state's governments are highly corrupt, have high crime rates they cannot handle, Nevada's schools are some of the country's most wanting and New Jersey residents suffer under high property taxes.

Mississippi's low gambling tax rate (11%) explains why they still suffer high poverty, poor health care, poor schools, and a big Mississippi "etc." for so much more than that.

A few other states collect casino taxes at percentages in the teens, more than that in the twenties, and those states don't suffer as much as Mississippi, Nevada and New Jersey from poor services and high tax rates on residents to make up for the low state revenues from gambling.

Higher tax rates in other states (mid-30%'s in Indiana to 67% in NY) help residents there enjoy a little better living conditions and better services, although New York's eight casinos are a small number for a large state with a large population, so it doesn't make as much of a dent in their state budget.

Overall, I'm glad our casino tax rates are so high. I wish it were higher and there were less casinos so they don't power their way in Annapolis to lower regulations and taxes.

JoAnn the taxes.

Mike, while a high tax rate for the casinos sounds like a good thing at first glance, it will end up hurting any chance for a viable and sustainable casino industry in MD. Even if they get table games, slots are the great majority of any casinos business. Since the operators must pay such high taxes, they are setting their machines to the lowest possible payout, with the State of MD's blessing. People aren't all stupid. They eventually stop going to places where they are being robbed. This leads to situations like what Perryville is now experiencing. People are giving up and driving 20 minutes up the road to Delaware Park. See: http://www.examiner.com/article/maryland-s-hollywood-casino-is-bankruptcy-next

You know what Sully? May I call you "Sully". Sully, a viable and sustainable casino industry in MD, or anywhere for that matter, really isn't important to a viable and sustainable society, so, in that sense, No society really "needs" casinos, gaming or things like that that are low level entertainment for its residents. The only reason, and there really is only one reason, to invite casinos into your neighborhood is that their ability to scoop up people's money in a way that they believe they are having fun giving up loads of money in an incredibly willing manner to help run the government. If government could collect revenue and make it as fun as some people believe gambling is in a fair and equitable way from all its residents then we wouldn't have all that bitching about how much taxes are costing all of us so that our government could provide us with services and infrastructure we truly need as a highly civilized, functioning society. right, Sully?

Mike, of course no society "needs" casinos nor do they "need" any other form of entertainment like theater, bars, bowling alleys, etc. Just because you don't think casinos are fun doesn't mean others don't. The problem in MD is our tax dollars are being wasted by our government trying to have too much control over a casino industry that is doomed to failure due to the clumsy, ignorant actions taken in Annapolis. A casino industry that is controlled by the people who know the business, that is taxed at a reasonable rate, will thrive. It will bring in out of state money, provide jobs, and pay a regular, sustainable tax base. All these stupid actions from Annapolis such as buying millions of dollars of machines with our tax money and the regulations that make any casinos in MD inferior are just wasting our money.

I can't remember the details but the original bill had something in it about 10 years when ALL the states take will go into the general fund.

I believe history is on your side, Doug. I can't think of any place where gambling revenues have been large enough to help public education. Anyone? You'd think that with the $1 billion that the state and gambling lobby is saying they're putting toward education we would once again have the best schools in the world, $0 in-state tuition for state colleges and universities, smaller class sizes, more modern schools (with a/c), and, therein, the envy of the nation with the best equipped workers in the country.

EVERY dollar toward education is not an EXTRA dollar to education. It only replaces the money form any other source.

It took what, 4 years to get the first on up and running so it will be another 4 years before any new ones are up and running IF approved.

The lobby wanted it, so they gave it to them.

Pennsylvania had 4 casinos open in less than 2 years.

Do you reside in Carroll County?

to Romeo....and in a true display of politicism...OWE'Malley(then mayor) and his democratic buddies were vehemently opposed to casinos in any form!!!! so what is your point??? What seems obvious to me is that the entire crew smack of hipocrasy!!! In my opinion they only wanted to wait til they could get their own hands out for a pay off....I don't trust any of the current top level folks in the stae house!!!

As I recall, the mayor at that time was morally opposed to gambling. Just as he was opposed to anything offered from a republican, think back to the $50mil that 'disappeared' from the Baltimore City school budget when he was mayor and he opposed the then governor's assistance in replacing those funds, providing the state had a say in how those funds were spent. Seems like our governor doesn't want to be accountable to ANYONE ( voters included) except those that can contribute to his run for higher office. Just saying.

I heartily agree. I am still skeptical of his "social" issue stands though. Being form MontCo and all. If you ever need to contact his office, which I have quite a few times, he or someone from his office responds in less than 24 hours and responds with answers not hype.

Ex Florida Congressman Robert Wexler used to live in MoCo. He sent his 3 children to MD public schools. He drove on MD roads and used MD services. He lived here for at least 10 years with no other physical residence in his Florida district. He used the address of his mother in law which was a SENIOR community and no one under 55 was allowed to live there. I filed a complaint with Franchot's office because Wexler used a false address in his district, lived here and PAID NO INCOME TAX in Maryland and NONE in Florida. He resigned form office.

"October 14, 2009 It's kind of a shocker for political groupies, news that a popular and not-in-any-way-endangered Democratic incumbent has decided to leave Congress.

Robert Wexler, a staunch liberal voice from Boca Raton, railed against Republicans who impeached President Clinton and fought for a paper-verification of all ballots after Florida's flawed (remember hanging chads?) election in 2000.
Today he announced that he's resigning after 19 years in Congress"

"BILL O'REILLY, HOST: The top story tonight: one of the most liberal members of Congress, Robert Wexler of Florida, may not be a Floridian. Wexler represents the Palm Beach area, but has lived in Maryland since the late 1990s. He says his Florida address is a senior residence in Delray Beach. But that residence says kids can't live there for more than two months each year. Wexler has three teenagers. Producer Griff Jenkins caught up with Wexler at his Maryland home.

GRIFF JENKINS, FOX NEWS PRODUCER: Good morning. Griff Jenkins from FOX News. Just a couple quick questions for you.

REP. ROBERT WEXLER, D-FLA.: No, I'm not doing this. If you want to call my office, that's fine. I've got to drive my daughter to work.

JENKINS: Two quick questions. It came to our attention that your primary residence in your disclosure format is in Florida in Delray.

WEXLER: That's correct. That's my residence.

JENKINS: Yes?

WEXLER: Yes. I'll be happy to answer whatever question you wish…

JENKINS: It looks like you live here. And the house in Delray appears to be an active adult community, belongs to your mother-in-law? Is that true you live with your mother-in-law?

WEXLER: My in-laws own that house, that's correct. I'll be happy to...

JENKINS: So you live with your mother-in-law?

WEXLER: My in-laws own that house, yes. That's my official residence.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,390663,00.html#ixzz23j48KVW9
"

Are Miller O'Malley and Busch (the MOB) and the rest NOT "political publicity seekers"? Really?

There are two separate resulting voting components to the referendum. One is a statewide vote to allow table games at all casinos and to create a 6th license for a PG Co site. The other is how PG Co votes for the referendum. It is possible that the referendum vote statewide could be in favor of granting table games and the 6th license while PG Co majority votes down the referendum. At that point, the 6th license is shot down, while the other casinos get table games.

Now, honestly, what are the odds of the referendum being voted down is PG county, given the demographics?

M. Sullivan, I agree with you! By the time MGM runs commercials in Prince George’s County stating that a new casino there will generate new jobs, lower taxes, new funds for police, firefighters, teachers (for anyone in Anne Arundel County, does all of this sound familiar), there hardly will be anyone who will vote against having slots there.

Hopefully Baltimore City and AA County will remember the lost revenues if this bill is passed and their votes will cancel out, and outweigh, PG County. It's just a shame that the 21st Delegation that represents AA County didn't abstain and showed their true colors. Remember come election time.

Fauxcahontas? She did the same thing as Obama and both lied about their heritage.

I thank you for that information. I posted here because mailing my elected officials or calling them usually ends up with my messages being ignored but posting something here on Patch usually elicits a quick response.

One other thing, if the vacation was pre-planned why does the roll call have her listed as NOT VOTING instead of ABSENT? Just asking. Thanks again for the response.

Joan,

Thank you for that information. Don't apologize, happens to us all.

And you are correct in calling it a "not-so-special-session".

Have a good day.