"Do you favor the expansion of commercial gaming in the State of Maryland for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education to authorize video lottery operation licensees to operate “table games” as defined by law; to increase from 15,000 to 16,500 the maximum number of video lottery terminals that may be operated in the State; and to increase from 5 to 6 the maximum number of video lottery operation licenses that may be awarded in the State and allow a video lottery facility to operate in Prince George’s County?"
The question is best understood if you could see the law that it is trying to amend. Fortunately, we can get the Maryland Constitution on the Internet. The section on gambling is short and is added in its entirety to the end of this post. If you look at section (e), you will see why this question is on the ballot.
Question 7 does not state the exact wording of how the constitution will be amended but the Maryland State Board of Elections gave more specifics in this non-technical summary.
ARTICLE XIX
VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINALS
(added by Chapter 5, Acts of 2007 Special Session, ratified Nov. 4, 2008)- (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 under Title 12 or Title 13 of the Criminal Law Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
(c) (1) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, 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 public senior higher education institutions.
- (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) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a video lottery operation license only may be awarded for a video lottery facility in 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 located within Rocky Gap State Park in Allegany County; or
(v) Baltimore City, if the video lottery facility is:
- 1. Located:
- A. In a nonresidential area;
B. Within one-half mile of Interstate 95;
C. Within one-half mile of MD Route 295; and
D. On property that is owned by Baltimore City on the date on which the application for a video lottery operation license is submitted; and
- A. Zoned for residential use; and
B. Used for a residential dwelling on the date the application for a video lottery operation license is submitted.
(5) A video lottery facility shall comply with all applicable planning and zoning laws of the local jurisdiction.
(e) The General Assembly may only 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.
(f) The General Assembly may, from time to time, enact such laws not inconsistent with this section, as may be necessary and proper to carry out its provisions.
Mike, thanks for finding the relevant documents. As read, I have no problem voting FOR the question as written. And I do take the question at face value. How does one determine and then question the motives of those FOR or AGAINST? I accept that all politicians lie, but not all at once and all the time.
ReplyDeleteWould anyone really know if there were 16,500 or 15,000 slots in Maryland. Surely they're not all operating, all the time.
Will the money go to education? That's what it says. How do you know it won't? If you don't have faith that your representative will do the right thing, vote for someone else.
Can we keep temptation from the poor? Is that our responsibility as voters? I see this as an economic issue but my eyesight is not as good as it used to be.
Norm, you have made good points in taking the broader view. However, I have a very narrow view. I like tables games, particularly poker, and I would rather play in Maryland than in West Virginia.
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