Slots bill on the move

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Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005 | 9:22 a.m.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Legislation that would authorize up to 9,500 slot machines in Anne Arundel, Dorchester, Frederick and Harford counties could reach the full House of Delegates for debate before the end of the week.

The House version, which was endorsed by a legislative subcommittee Tuesday, differs significantly from a bill introduced by Gov. Robert Ehrlich that passed the Senate last Friday.

It reduces the maximum number of machines from 13,500 to 9,500 and would allow machines at only four locations instead of the seven in the bill approved by the Senate. In another major change, the House bill would use the state share of revenues for school construction instead of aid for classroom instruction and would give part of the proceeds in grants to local governments.