Slots amendment: A push for equality
As the House of Delegates begins debate this week on a budget package that could bring deep cuts in local aid to Baltimore County, members of the county’s House delegation focused their attention on legalizing video lottery terminals for use by nonprofit organizations in the county.
Del. Eric Bromwell, chairman of the county delegation, offered an amendment Tuesday morning to add Baltimore County to a bill regarding slot machines, which affects, among other counties, Worcester County.
Slot machines in nonprofit organizations such as VFW halls and other fraternal groups have a long history on the Eastern Shore. In 1987, the legislature banned most of of the devices but allowed eight counties on the Eastern Shore to keep theirs. Worchester County was included in that bill, but at the time opted out with the provision that they could have the machines later if they so chose.
“We love the bill in Baltimore County,” Bromwell said during the March 24 House session. “We think this is a great idea.” (You can listen here. Bromwell speaks at 55:45 of the two hour session.)
With that, Bromwell offered an amendment to add Baltimore County to the list of the eight counties. The amendment was the subject of a meeting of the county’s 21-member House delegation and they voted to support the proposal 14-1, with Democratic Del. Dan Morhaim dissenting.
“We want to treat our veterans, our fraternal organizations, the same way that they are going to be treated on the Eastern Shore” Bromwell said.
The amendment was ultimately defeated, however, by a vote of 30 to 102.