Committee tours Compulsive Gambling Center

Julie Halenar

Friday, Oct. 31, 2003 | 9:13 a.m.

BALTIMORE -- Members of the House Ways and Means Committee who killed the governor's slot machines bill last session toured the Compulsive Gambling Center and the state fairgrounds Thursday as they continued studying the effect of bringing more slot machines to the state.

More than a dozen committee members toured the Baltimore center, Timonium fairgrounds, Winbak Farm and Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City.

Robert A. McKee, a Washington County Republican, said he wants slot machines at Pimlico Race Course, Laurel Park, Rosecroft Raceway, the state fairgrounds and Ocean Downs track. He was one of the five committee members who backed the slot machine legislation during the 2003 General Assembly session.

"Maryland has a revenue problem and the alternative is to either increase taxes or continue severe program cuts," McKee said after a tram ride through the fairgrounds.

Gov. Robert Ehrlich wants to authorize slot machines at racetracks, and the state Senate approved his slots bill last session. However, the governor's bill was killed by the House Ways and Means Committee.

McKee said he's now finding that people are also in favor of expanding gambling.

"The message I've received so far is that they're not as opposed to slots as we were led to believe during the session," he said.

But some communities have been complaining about the potential sites.

Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. wrote a letter to the committee saying slot machines shouldn't be added to the fairgrounds because of "immense traffic jams."

"If gambling is expanded at the Timonium Fairgrounds to include a slot machine gambling facility, significant and costly upgrades to roads in the immediate vicinity, to the light rail system and to nearby interstate highways would be needed to accommodate new visitors and to prevent daily traffic gridlock," Smith wrote.

Delegates received the letter during a tour of the fairgrounds.

Chairwoman Sheila E. Hixson, a Montgomery County Democrat, said her committee will consider traffic issues and community reaction before making their decision in December.

"We're open and listening," Hixson said.

Nancy J. King, D-Montgomery, said Thursday she's "warming up" to slot machine legislation.

"I think we're still learning and the questions we had during last session are being answered," King said.