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Slots key in governor’s race

Thursday, Sept. 26, 2002 | 9:41 a.m.

BALTIMORE -- The winner of the Maryland governor's race will likely determine whether the state turns to slot machines to cope with its budget problems, the Baltimore Sun reported.

Democrat Kathleen Kennedy Townsend said she will do everything within her power to keep slot machines out, while Republican Robert Ehrlich has made slot machines a centerpiece of his budget policy, arguing that it could generate $385 million to help fill the state's $1.7 billion shortfall, the newspaper said.

During his two terms, Maryland Governor Parris Glendening adopted a "no slots, no casinos, no exceptions" policy that kept the issue from gaining momentum in the General Assembly, the newspaper said.

Townsend said she would veto such legislation if it passed the General Assembly while Ehrlich would allow voters near the horse racing tracks where the slot machines would be placed to "opt out" if they didn't want slots in their jurisdiction, the newspaper said.

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