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JOHN A.
OLSZEWSKI, JR. D-6
House Office
Building, Room 308
6 Bladen St.,
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410)
841-3458, (301) 858-3458
1-800-492-7122,
ext. 3458 (toll free)
e-mail: [email protected]
fax: (410)
841-3123; (301) 858-3123 |
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8/1-Gaming
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by Delegate John Olszewski, Jr. (D - 6) -
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It
has recently been announced that Governor O'Malley will reconvene
the Maryland General Assembly for another special legislative session
to begin on August 9. For residents keeping track, this represents
the third session outside of our regular time in Annapolis in less
than a year-long span. Let me be clear that I believe it is the responsibility
of the legislature and our administration to do the work we are called
to do in the usual order of business; that is, during our regular
90-day session. While there are extraordinary circumstances that are
worthy (or, as was the case with Congressional redistricting this
year, absolutely necessary) of calling a special session, it is my
contention that these should be rare occurrences. That being said,
once a session is called, I have a responsibility to ensure that the
interests of our communities are represented as decisions are being
made - and will be attending this session, even if it means missing
part or all of a planned vacation the following week. While no official
proposal has been advanced at the time of this writing, the two major
issues include an expansion of gaming to include table games, as well
as consideration of adding a sixth site in Prince George's County
to draw from nearby Washington, DC and northern Virginia, neither
of which currently have casino locations. I also wanted to let residents
know about what I will be looking for in order for me to consider
supporting a bill to expand gaming in the state of Maryland. Any gaming
proposal should be a net economic benefit to the residents of the
state of Maryland. Revenue generated should be used in conjunction
with strategic cuts to ensure that the state does not need to continue
to rely upon tax increases to keep its budget in balance. Legislation
should also limit reductions in the tax rate of casino operators.
While it may be necessary, for example, to consider lower rates at
the Anne Arundel and Baltimore City sites to compensate for a significant
market share loss from a sixth site, it is unclear how lowering rates
for a location in Perryville or on the Eastern Shore is necessary.
What is clear is that the state can benefit from a thoughtful expansion
of its gaming program. While I would have preferred to have considered
such an expansion during a regular session, I will continue to work
to ensure that any proposal makes our gaming program sustainable and
competitive with surrounding states in the Mid-Atlantic - and that
there is a meaningful financial benefit to Maryland residents, and
not to casino owners and operators. Finally, I wanted to be clear
that, while attending this session, I will be seeking no reimbursements
that could add to the cost of the legislature's time in Annapolis.
This is replicating the pledge I made and kept during the May special
session, where I likewise refused to participate in costing the taxpayers
of this state any additional money during our time in the state capital.
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