Panel rejects slots

Thursday, April 3, 2003 | 9:51 a.m.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Gov. Robert Ehrlich's plan to bring slot machine gambling to Maryland racetracks to raise money for public schools was decisively rejected Wednesday by a House committee, apparently ending chances for passage of the bill this year.

James "Chip" DiPaula, Ehrlich's budget secretary, said after the vote the administration would like to see the bill revived in the final days of the legislative session, but "I will tell you I don't hold out much hope."

"Today, one committee stood in the way of $700 million for school kids," said DiPaula, visibly upset by the vote.

Only five of the 22 members of the Ways and Means Committee -- four Republicans and one Democrat -- supported the governor's bill to put 3,500 machines at each of three existing racetracks and up to 1,000 machines at a proposed track in Allegany County. The bill was the centerpiece of Ehrlich's first legislative program since he was elected last November.

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