Red Maryland is AGAINST Question 7

Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last few months you’ve been exposed to some of the more than $70 million in campaign spending on Question 7.  If approved, Question 7 would allow table games and approve a sixth casino in Prince George’s County.

Red Maryland urges you to vote no on Question 7.

The dueling ads over education spending saturating the airwaves are a red herring. Although we do note the anti-gambling forces are correct that gambling revenue won’t increase education spending, it will only allow politicians to shift funds around to spend more on other programs.

We do not oppose gambling, or table games per se, people should be free to spend their money however they wish.  However, the real objection to Question 7 lies in its genesis in the primordial ooze of Annapolis.   A vote against Question 7 would send a message that we will no longer tolerate the rot and corruption permeating the state house.

Question 7 was the result of a special legislative session by and for casino interests.  Fresh raising taxes on large portion of Marylanders to pay for more spending we cannot afford, Governor O’Malley and Senate President Mike Miller crafted a bill that cut taxes for casinos and handed MGM a no-bid contract for the sixth casino at National Harbor. 

According to the Baltimore Sun, The state contracted with Price Waterhouse Coopers to study the feasibility of a sixth casino.  PWC never delivered a report.  Legislative analysts offered a “consensus opinion” of its staff and PWC consultants that another casino would work and provide net revenue increase for the state.

Republicans have continually asked to see the PWC data. And to this day, the eve of the election The Department of Legislative Services has refused their request. 

Do not validate this backroom deal for special interests with your vote, or allow it the imprimatur of our state constitution.  

Vote No on Question 7.