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Article: The Shortfall and Slots; Gambling won't help close Maryland's budget gap anytime soon.
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- September 20, 2008
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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SUPPORTERS OF a November referendum to bring slot machines to
Maryland keep shifting their rationale. First they said slots were
necessary to save Maryland's horse racing industry. Then they said
slots were key to keeping taxes low. Now, with Maryland facing a
$430 million budget shortfall, slots supporters have altered their
argument once more. Voters should pass the referendum, they contend,
to close the state's budget gap. This latest line of reasoning isn't
convincing. Slots aren't a short-term fiscal fix; if the referendum
passed, money wouldn't trickle in for at least two years.
State officials estimate slots would eventually generate $600
million each year, half of which would go ...