Senators target slots fights

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Casino Wars. - 2011-02-09 02:46:38

Looks like the Old West has come to Anne Arundel County. All of the sudden I had this picture of the range wars out west.

Whats next?

Brawl down at the union hall?

Will we see something like the Shoot Out At The OK Corral?

Too bad both sides didnt give a big enough pay off the unions.

BTW... Wheres all the manna from the slot machines heaven anyway?

That temporary casino in the mall parking lot should be shoveling the money into the State House by the truckload any day now... any day now...

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Dave K - Arnold, MD - Karma: Neutral

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It's Plain Silly - 2011-02-07 17:24:16

The bill does nothing, which is why its a waste of time. What will it stop? It plainly a violation of the first ammendment. If a company can make an unlimited campaign contribution how can governemnt stop a company from spending its own money in its best interests. The who 'agent' idea may have worked, if it were part of the intial solicitation and agreement when the state was seeking bids. You can't change a contract after it is signed without agreement of both parties.

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John Roberts - Crofton, md - Karma: Terrible

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Strong wallet politics - 2011-02-07 11:11:57

It should be no surprise the gambling industry is pushing the envelope. They've got the contributions which get the legislatures ear. They will push for table gambling, sport gambling and whatever else comes across the bow. Penn National is contesting their enability to get a gambling bhe license at Laurel, despite being tossed by the Courts, twice. Governor & legislature just agreed to give Penn National $4 million to enhance purses. This money was intended for Capital improvements at the track. THis is a pure give away of taxpayers money. You can be sure they'll be creative on getting a license for Rosecroft. They'll 'sell' their current operation to a third party corporation. Money is a the mother's milk of politics and gambling provides plenty. Gambling will dominate the legislature's agenda. Notice it all we're hearing about?

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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Perhaps - 2011-02-07 03:58:21

Those of you who are against this bill are more entertained by the news these silly casino squabbles create. Funny, there's already an objection in court to Penn National Gaming's recent purchase of Rosecroft Raceway, which isn't even a designated slots site:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-rosecroft-sale-objection-20110201,0,5405114.story

Landow Partners, whose principals include former state Democratic Party Chairman Nathan Landow, said the trustee overseeing Rosecroft's bankruptcy "did not exercise the appropriate business judgment and failed to obtain the maximum value" for the Prince George's County harness track, according to court documents filed Tuesday.

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Joseph Piazzola - Hanover, MD - Karma: Good

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Unions - 2011-02-07 03:29:13

For those of you who complain about the Unions' support of Cordish and the Jobs and Revenue For Anne Arundel County/Vote For Question A campaign, I must ask, where were you in 2008 for the Statewide vote on slots? Did you vote For or Against on the Statewide ballot in 2008? Were you just as upset about the unions' support in the 2008 Statewide vote?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/15/AR2008031501191.html
"After fierce lobbying from proponents and opponents, the Maryland State Teachers Association board of directors voted to support legalizing slots"

http://www.examiner.com/law-and-politics-in-baltimore/authorizing-md-slots-deserves-serious-scrutiny
7.Governor OMalley (D), big labor, teachers and police unions, chambers of commerce, all favor the initiative. I received three emails supporting ballot question 2 this past week (although none about early votingquestion 1). (NOTE that big labor and the teachers unions opposed slots under Governor Ehrlich, even though he wanted to earmark the bulk of the money to schools as the current initiative does).

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Joseph Piazzola - Hanover, MD - Karma: Good

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I applaud this legislation - 2011-02-07 03:14:56

It's funny, Raejean, Snow Lady, and John Roberts that you criticize Cordish, but you're so incredibly blinded by your hatred of Cordish that you can't see the sleaziness and corruption of Penn National Gaming. Penn National has millions upon millions and a whole team of sleazy, corrupt attorneys and lobbyists themselves. They make campaign contributions to politicians in hopes of getting special treatment. They contributed millions to Martin O'Malley's re-election campaign. That's defnitely what we all want. Our Governor in bed with a gaming company. :rolls eyes: Oh, and if you weren't aware, Penn National is currently lobbying the MD Government to allow multiple licenses to one holder. Current law only allows one license to one holder. If they're successful in this lobbying, who's to say they won't find something wrong with future bidding processes. If they lose out on a future bid, what's to stop them from appealing the issuance of another license for some BS reason and tying up this whole process even more thus delaying the millions of dollars of revenue a casino could bring in? Good for our elected officials for trying to stop any company from interfering with the fair process that another company went through to legally obtain a license.

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Joseph Piazzola - Hanover, MD - Karma: Good

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What? - 2011-02-06 18:50:08

I'm not sure I understand where you're coming from, Snow Lady-as a presumed critic of Cordish and slots-by applauding this legislation; unless you are looking toward the inevitable future and hoping to stop Cordish from further hindering OTHER gaming facilities/businesses.

Right now, I think the appearance given by the instant bill is state officials trying to run interference for Cordish by claiming their vested interest in the revenue.

Now, please forgive me if I have misunderstood YOU.

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Raejean French - Severn, MD - Karma: Excellent

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John Roberts - 2011-02-06 13:09:22

Have you checked the other financial reports? Who do you think paid for all the Union support and the other officials? Cordish and his corporation. Cordish was smart in spreading his money around, even giving to the Black groups in Annapolis, check his financial report, I have, and yes he is a smart man..so I say Good for DeGrange to still put in this legislation no matter who gives him money, he is doing the right thing, in my humble opinion. And no, no one is paying me or has for my opposition, just saying :)

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snow lady - crofton, md - Karma: Terrible

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DeGrange is an Agent of Cordish - 2011-02-06 12:08:08

Take a look at the campaign finance reports for DeGrange and you will see one of his biggest contributers is Alan Hyatt; Cordish's chief local lobbyst and lawyer. A number of other lawyer/lobbyst's in Hyatt's firm have given to DeGrange big time. And exactly why is the legislation needed? Both Rocky Gap and Baltimore City have all the needed local planned legislation in place. It seems DeGrange wants to strip MJC's right to appeal the dismissal of their bid, which will probably fail anyways.

DeGrange should worry about his constituents needs and not Cordish's bottom line. Unfortunately the constituents do not give enough money to get the time of day with DeGrange.

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John Roberts - Crofton, md - Karma: Terrible

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Too Bad - 2011-02-06 11:53:09

Too bad that Cordish and his County Executive and union buddies didn't care about the rights of those of us who opposed Question A...they harrassed us, bullied us and now the Unions, who by the way were in LEopold and Codish's back pocket during their "quest", are getting the shaft from them all. I say good for you Senators, go for it and I hope it passes! We have rights too and they are going to be trampled on by Cordish and his cronies!

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snow lady - crofton, md - Karma: Terrible

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This Is Bad Legislation - 2011-02-06 11:32:53

Gansler was right: We need to tread lightly on the constitutional issues of refereeing competition between profit-making businesses.

We're not discussing the further regulation of Lottery franchisees, wherein it's the ticket agent receiving the percentage of the state's own games.

Doesn't it seem the entire problem arises from getting into bed with and becoming partners with "financially motivated gaming agencies" in the first place?

It goes with the territory (you know, that "slippery slope" that everyone keeps talking about?).

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Raejean French - Severn, MD - Karma: Excellent