Governor Martin O’Malley of Maryland is proposing an addendum for allowing slot machines to be legalized in 2008. It is all part of his plan to chip away at Maryland’s 1.7 million budget deficit. But there are rallies forming now for those who are for the slot machines and those that are against it. Beginning on Monday there is to be a special session to discuss the anti-slots and the pro-slots split.

The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) wants to be heard claiming that slot machines prey on the poor and working people and bring along with it more crime and other unwelcome businesses. The Baltimore chapter of the AFL-CIO want to be heard as well with the head of the chapter Ernie Greco saying "It's a lot of good paying jobs, jobs for us.”

The Maryland Jockey Club is planning to close the racetrack next Friday to hold their own rally in favor of the slot machines. The Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Baltimore and Vicinity plan to get their opinions across. The head of the Alliance Rev. Gregory B. Perkins feels that "Gambling is a menace to society and make no mistake about it, if slot machine gambling is legalized in Maryland, casinos will soon follow.”

Next week is going to heat up with many different debates and rallies planned for the special session.


- 2007-10-28