Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker says he has the support of the county’s House delegation for his proposed $1 billion casino, but at least one member is unequivocally opposed – and not afraid to show it.
Del. Melony Griffith, the House delegation chairwoman, got into a heated argument with Baker following a Friday morning delegation briefing of the Senate’s gambling bill, which would expand gambling to allow table games such as blackjack and a sixth casino license in Prince George’s County.
Griffith, who likened slot machines to the “crack cocaine of gambling,” said Friday she is opposed to the bill and won’t support the county executive’s efforts to bring a Las Vegas-style casino – and its estimated $48.3 million annual local revenue – to Prince George’s County.
As she left the delegation meeting, Griffith said there were plenty of other ways for the county to raise new revenues. When Baker challenged her to identify other options, she replied that the county executive should use his “intellectual ability” to come up with new ideas.
A tense exchange followed, during which Baker’s staff stepped in to calm the situation.
Both Baker and Griffith know the county needs new revenue, the delegation chairwoman said.
“I just think we have different ideas for how to get it,” she said.
