When I sat down to write this month’s column for The
Business Monthly, the prospects for a second special session of the General
Assembly as early as next week to ram through new gambling legislation looked
pretty good. That may no long be the case. According to this report by John
Wagner in The Washington Post, the guv has decided “that is not a
realistic timeframe and wants to spend some more time seeing where House
members stand, said the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly about
the issue.”
The delay is being at least partially attributed to last Friday’s
stormus interuptus. As of this morning at least 30,000 homes in Maryland are still
without power.
That is not to say the guvs attempts to expand gambling in
the state are over. He just needs a little more time to twist some arms.
According to this story by Annie Linskey in The Sun, Governor O’Malley “intends
to announce Friday that he will continue trying to hammer out a deal to expand Maryland 's gambling
program, according to an official close to the governor.”
It’s only a matter of time. Just like four years ago, voters
are being told that expanding gambling will help our schools, stave off tax
future increases, and cure the common cold.
In other words, it’s appears to be only a matter of when, not if.
You can read this month’s column here.
