Some Prince George’s County leaders are working to find a way around a state ruling deeming unconstitutional a local-choice provision in a referendum bill that could clear the way for slots.
The referendum, which would put the slots issue on the November ballot, includes language that requires that slots win approval from a majority of Prince George’s County voters as well as the blessing of voters statewide.
But the local voter requirement is unconstitutional, according to a letter from Bonnie Kirkland, assistant state attorney general.
State Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters, the bill’s sponsor, said he plans to meet with Attorney General Doug Gansler this week to reword the bill in such a way that the local-majority vote provision could remain a part of the slots referendum.
“I’d like to have that second level of opinion from the county residents included,” said Peters, D-Prince George’s.
Gerron Levi, a former Maryland state delegate opposed to slots, said stripping the bill of the local-majority vote would leave Prince George’s County residents unprotected against slots.
“The county’s leaders appear bent on bad public policy, and without a local vote, we are voiceless,” she said.
However, the County Council could use the results of a statewide referendum, which includes details of the number of Prince George’s voters in favor of slots, to guide its response to the referendum. Council members have the authority to block slots with their own local zoning legislation.
The legal opinion was written at the request of Del. Aisha Braveboy, D-Prince George’s. The decision could further hamper a bill already expected to have a difficult time passing the General Assembly’s vote.
Passage of the bill in the Senate is all but assured thanks to the support of Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., who says slots revenues are necessary to pay for the construction of an estimated $600 million regional medical center.
But the legislation’s prospects in the House remain in doubt without the support of County Executive Rushern Baker, who’s yet to come out for or against the bill, Peters said.
Del. Barbara Frush, D-Prince George’s, filed legislation in the House of Delegates last week identical to Peters’ bill. Having matching legislation in the House and Senate should give the legislation a better shot at passing, Peters said.
