Maryland Senate approves measure that would remove voters from deciding gambling expansion



Maryland voters would no longer be required to decide whether to allow gambling expansion in the state, under a measure approved by the state Senate on Tuesday.

Maryland voters would no longer be required to decide whether to allow gambling expansion in the state, under a measure approved by the state Senate on Tuesday.

The Senate voted 46-1 for the constitutional amendment. If the House approves, Maryland voters would still have the final say about whether they want to take themselves out of the process in November.

It takes a three-fifths vote by both chambers of the General Assembly to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Under the proposed change, lawmakers would decide whether to expand gambling. The law requiring lawmakers as well as voters to decide on any further gambling expansion was part of the constitutional amendment voters approved in 2008 to allow casinos.

State analysts project Maryland’s six casinos will generate about $1.8 billion in gross gambling revenue in fiscal year 2021. That includes $542 million for the state’s Education Trust Fund.

This article is a reprint from BaltimoreSun.com. To view the original story and comment, click here


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