Gov. Martin O'Malley is making the case that the best way to end Maryland's long battle over slots is to call a "truce" and let the voters decide:
O'Malley has increasingly suggested that the best way to reach an accord on slots may be for the legislature, in effect, to agree not to resolve the issue -- and instead ask voters whether to welcome expanded gambling to Maryland. "We have beaten this dead horse into a coma, and we need to resolve this issue," he said. "It has been a monkey wrench in the workings of our democracy for the last five years."A referendum, which would likely appear on the 2008 presidential ballot, would require legislative approval. It would require support from three-fifths of the House and Senate, a higher threshold than a bill directly legalizing slots.
But O'Malley has been trying, with at least some success, to persuade slots foes to support a referendum as a way to put the issue to rest.
"If there's an impasse over slot machines, a referendum may be the answer," said Sen. Thomas M. Middleton (D-Charles), who said he does not support expanded gambling. "I think it makes it easier for folks to say, 'All right, I'm opposed to slot machines, but I'm willing to let the voters decide.' "
It is a tempting idea. However, even this solution may be hard to achieve in the special session. After all, the Republicans have expressed their unwillingness to vote for slots as part of their overall determination to deny O'Malley a major success in a special session. Moreover, Sen. Rona Kramer accurately points out that the same problems which plague passing any slots bill will also undermine a slots referendum bill:
"It's not as simple as saying, 'We're going to put it on the ballot,' " said Sen. Rona E. Kramer (D), chairwoman of the Montgomery County Senate delegation. "How are we going to deal with the details? And the devil is in the details on this one."Any slots referendum would have to decide the same key points which have inhibited agreement on this question. Getting a majority of both houses of the General Assembly to say yes to the idea of slots is doable. Agreement on a specific bill is far more difficult.
And why should slots opponents agree to a referendum? Polls suggest that slots could receive approval from the electorate. From their perspective, it is easier to kill slots in the General Assembly. Moreover, proponents have not shown any ability to enact a slots bill into law, even with heavyweight support from Senate President Mike Miller and the current and former governor.
