Amid the millions of dollars worth of ads that have filled our television screens over the past six weeks, I believe the decision on whether to support Question 7 comes down to one basic truth: Making Maryland’s system of gaming competitive provides a new source of revenue for schools and other government services without raising taxes.
Over the past five years, since the Maryland General Assembly first approved putting slot machine casinos to the voters, our state has fallen behind our neighbors. We have slowly opened three of the five authorized casino sites, limiting those facilities only to slot machines, while our neighboring states have moved forward with permitting their casinos to also offer such table games as blackjack, poker and roulette.
Given that competitive disadvantage, it’s little wonder that Marylanders seeking a full casino experience are still flocking to out-of-state facilities – particularly the Charles Town casino in West Virginia. The respected Sage Policy Group released a report this week concluding that Marylanders have spent over $1 billion over the past decade in this West Virginia casino, and – if Question 7 fails – Marylanders are likely to spend more than $1 billion over the next decade there.
Those dollars now being spent in West Virginia, as well as at casinos in Pennsylvania and Delaware, can be recaptured and used to fund schools, police and other critical government services here in Maryland – but only if we approve Question 7.
State legislative analysts project this will be nearly $200 million a year just for public schools once Question 7 is completely implemented. That is real money for Maryland’s Education Trust Fund, on top of the $184 million that has already gone to the fund from gaming since casinos were legalized by voters in 2008.
Despite this relentless negative advertising campaign paid for by the owner of the West Virginia casino that keeps taking Marylanders’ dollars, the language in the gaming legislation is quite clear that this money is committed to education. Spending on public schools is legally required to go up in this state year after year – and Question 7 provides the revenue to pay for those spending increases without raising our taxes.
Separate from the revenue, the benefits of Question 7 can be seen in jobs and economic development, both here in the Baltimore area and across our state. Permitting table games at our state’s existing casinos means the creation of about 1,600 new jobs at those five casinos – including 500 additional jobs just at the casino set to be built in Baltimore City – and these are jobs that pay roughly $55,000 a year in wages, benefits and tips, based on averages from other city casinos.
In Prince George’s County, which is desperately in need of significant new economic development projects, Question 7 would permit the development of a destination resort casino. Building the $800 million project would mean 2,000 new union construction jobs, and it’s estimated that, once in operation, the casino would create a total of 8,400 direct and indirect jobs. Given our nation’s economic challenges, we can’t afford to let job creation opportunities like this slip by.
Taken together, voter approval of Question 7 would enable Maryland to keep Marylanders here in our state when they choose to spend their entertainment dollars on gaming. And by locating a world class casino just outside of D.C. and Northern Virginia, we position our state to aggressively attract dollars from the tens of millions of people who live, work and visit the area around our nation’s capital.
The negative ads we see over and over again are being funded entirely by one company that is seeking to protect its cash cow West Virginia casino. If Maryland legalizes table games at its existing and authorized casinos, and permits construction of a casino in Prince George’s County just outside of D.C., the market for that West Virginia casino from Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia is suddenly badly compromised.
The negative ad campaign would have Maryland voters believe that a vote against Question 7 is a vote against casino “special interests.” In fact, a vote against Question 7 is really a vote FOR the special interests of one West Virginia casino operator.
It is for these reasons that I voted to put this issue on the ballot and why I will continue my support of Question 7. In my opinion, a “yes” vote is a vote to make Maryland competitive with our neighbors, to create new revenues to pay for schools, and to create much-needed jobs. I hope you will join me in voting to keep Maryland money and Maryland jobs in Maryland!
One area that concerns me is help for those that get caught up in the chase for a fortune via gambling. I see the notices on the advertising, so that is something good. There needs to be continued attention to this, using the revenue from gaming. Another point that is left muddy by the negative ads (and even the one with the Harrahs guy) is whether the Baltimore City casino will be built regardless of the vote on Question 7. Someone should clear that up.
Also, if this is such a great deal for Maryland, why the need to provide such huge tax breaks to the casino developers and operators? There is plenty of money in it for "them" regardless of the unnecessary tax breaks. If they don't build it someone else will jump in and do it.
I completely approve of the concept, but not as currently implemented.
Please set the record straight if I missed something.
"The Department of Legislative Services estimates that the casino owners stand to reap a $525 million windfall if Question 7 passes." The bill also allows for the lottery commission to approve additional tax cuts. I believe casinos make enough money to afford their own slot machines without a tax break and Marylanders deserve a better crafted bill that will guarantee the money goes to education and does not allow for tax breaks for billionaires. A new bill should include: 1. The education trust fund can not be raided. 2. The amount spent on education from the general fund can not be reduced. 3. The current casino tax rate remains the same. 4. Approve table games and sports betting, to compete with Delaware. 5. 6th casino approval contingent on the Downtown casino being built first and that revenue from all the other casinos does not drop below 60% of where it is now.
They were clearly saving it for their own boy.
Homes in this area move just fine - unless you made the obvious mistake of buying a home in the 2005-2008 range and are now underwater. Good luck with selling your home, either way.