StopSlotsMaryland Targets Rosapepe

StopSlotsMaryland is going to make Senator Jim Rosapepe our first formal calling target of the special session. Rosapepe, who represents the Laurel area, should know better. But those who have spoken with him can't seem to nail him down to a position that protects his constituents from a slots location in the middle of their neighborhood. As we know, nothing focuses the legislative mind like a few hundred phone calls, so let's get dialing.

Senator Rosapepe can be reached at 202-349-7019.

A few things to know...

1) The Senator recently made the following comments in the Laurel paper (http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=810&NewsID=848782&CategoryID=5845&show=localnews&om=1)

"The odds [of slots passing] are very strong," Rosapepe said. "They're probably coming with or without any of our votes. So, it's on everybody's radar screen to prepare to deal with that issue."

2) Senate President Mike Miller has hosted fundraisers for Ropapepe. Let's remind him that he works for the people of his district, not for Mike Miller and the national gambling lobby.

3) Addiction rates double within a 50-mile radius of a gambling location.

4) Polls show that support for slots drops into the 30% range when a facility is proposed nearby.

5) The Base Re-alignment and Consolidation process (BRAC) increases the number of national security jobs significantly. Addiction and national security are a dangerous combination.

Lastly, please encourage anyone you know who lives in District 21 to call as well. The district runs along the northwest edge of Prince George's County from College Park to Laurel in the area roughly bounded by I-95 and the BW Parkway. Some ZIPs include 20740, 20742, 20783, 20784, 20768.
Thanks for your help and commitment to this important issue.
Aaron-- Aaron Meisnermobile 410-963-7718

Rikki Spector: Suck it up and pass slots

Rikki loves Martin. At least enough to sell us all out to the national gambling lobby.

Here's the latest from this week's Messenger:

While state lawmakers debate the need for the session, Baltimore City Councilwoman Rochelle "Rikki" Spector, who represents Mt. Washington, says they're dragging their feet and should get behind O'Malley's slots and taxes proposals.

"This deficit needs to be resolved. We can't go another 90 days and do nothing," Spector said.

Are you getting the feeling that she doesn't really care what Mt. Washington thinks about slots?

Read the rest of it (including my quote and prognostication) HERE.

Businesses Oppose Slots

Today the Anne Arundul County Chamber of Commerce joined the Greater Ocean City Chamber in opposing the introduction of slot machine gambling to Maryland.

They state that "it is fundamentally wrong to balance the state's budget on a revenue raising effort that preys upon the frailties of the human condition."

Well said. I will post the entire text later.

Four Anti-Slots Events This Weekend

Stop Slots Maryland has organized four events that will draw thousands of concerned citizens who intend to send a clear message to Governor O'Malley and the General Assembly: No Slots in Maryland.

These events all take place on October 20th at 10 am. A fifth event will take place in Baltimore the following week. An announcement is forthcoming. But here are details on the four events planned for Saturday:

Prince George’s County
First Baptist Church of Glenarden
Worship Center
600 Watkins Park DriveUpper Marlboro, Maryland 20774Phone #: (301) 773-3600
Directions: http://www.fbcglenarden.org/directions_worship_center.html

Ocean City/Eastern Shore
On the Ocean City Boardwalk—Inlet End
Near the Life Saving Station Museum
For info call the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce at 410-213-0552
www.oceancity.org

Frederick
Carroll Creek Amphitheater
Located directly behind the Frederick Library
110 East Patrick Street, Frederick MD 21701

Western Maryland/Little Orleans
The Town Hill Bed & Breakfast
21101 National Pike NELittle Orleans, MD 21766

Why is Rikki So Late?

The gaggle of people who are trying to kill the Jones Falls Trail project held an event on Saturday intended to allow neighbors to walk the route of the trail. Since the trail route hasn't been finalized, that would be kind of difficult, but that's another sordid story. Our intrepid City Councilwoman Rikki Spector was intent on breaking out her hiking boots and joining in. But before she could, she had a small problem to deal with: actually getting to the Fifth District.

Apparently, we have something called the Baltimore Marathon in town. It's not something that we really think about that much, because the entire route runs outside of Mount Washington and outside of the entire Fifth Councilmanic District. But it does run right down Key Highway, where Rikki happens to live. Now I know that her heart is in the Fifth, but the rest of her is into those luxury high-rise digs at HarborView.

So when she hops in the car to drive up I-83 from Federal Hill, the Baltimore City Police Department was there to tell her that she couldn't leave her gated garage.

Lesson: Life is easier when you live near your work.

The Casino Syndrome

Jim Kunstler recently wrote on his blog about the massive growth of the national gambling industry and the problems that comes when society prefers the free lunch to the reality that earnest effort is the most reliable path to prosperity.

Read some:

The current mania to expand legalized gambling around the country is a clear symptom of how desperate and crazy this society has become. In a culture where anything goes and nothing matters, it is perhaps hard for the public to understand what's wrong with it. The gambling "industry" itself has very successfully masked its pernicious nature by putting across the idea that it is just another form of innocent "entertainment," on a par with pro sports, theme parkery, and Hollywood. In fact, gambling, or "gaming," as it cynically calls itself, has hijacked elements of all these other activities to conceal its main business, which is the systematic hosing of those who can least afford to be hosed.

Read all: CLICK HERE

Yes, Gambling Still Sucks

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce's Ron Wineholt told me something amazing and new about gambling during our appearance on WYPR's Marc Steiner Show on Monday: gambling doesn't lead to addiction problems or increased crime. I have to confess the sheer chutzpah of this statement took my totally by surprise. I couldn't believe that a serious grown man thought that he could ignore reams of research and mountains of evidence.

So I was kind of relieved to see this piece by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum. Apparently reality hasn't been cancelled after all.

McCollum: Gambling expansion a 'nightmare' for Florida

As the Indian gaming debate simmers in Florida, there are significant issues to consider about expanding casino gambling throughout the state. With Las Vegas-style gambling prospects, citizens are raising concerns about the negative impact on our tourism industry, public safety and consumer protection. As a lifetime resident of Central Florida, I share those concerns.

The statistics are sobering. In communities that permit Class III casino gambling, such as Las Vegas-style slot machines, blackjack card games and even roulette or craps, the crime rate is nearly twice the national average. Additionally, statistics show that illegal gambling is significantly more prevalent in states that have opened the door to legalized gambling. A recent study found more than two-thirds of compulsive gamblers had engaged in criminal activity, including violent crimes, because of a gambling problem.

In addition to the public safety concerns, Floridians should consider the impact widespread casino gambling would have on one of our most valuable commodities-family-friendly tourism. Families come to Florida from all over the world to experience our Central Florida attractions and beautiful beaches. Wider legalized casino gambling in our state would drastically change the nature of Florida's tourism market and could give many parents second thoughts about bringing their children to our state for a family vacation.

The potential for revenue enhancement has been cited as an appealing benefit to the expansion of gambling, but Floridians should consider the cost of doing so. For every dollar gambling would bring in, research shows three more dollars are spent on increased social costs for criminal justice and social welfare.

The addictive nature of gambling, particularly "convenience gambling" found with Las Vegas-style games, is one of the most troubling issues in the debate on expanded gaming in Florida. According to the National Council on Problem Gaming, 18-24 year olds show the highest rate of gambling addiction. Gamblers Anonymous estimates that there are more than 12 million compulsive gamblers in the United States. The average compulsive gambler is more than $80,000 in debt.

Among types of convenience gambling, Internet gambling is particularly prone to addiction. These cyber casinos cannot accurately check a person's identification to verify age. A person can simply log on with a credit card and run up astronomical bills. Additionally, there is no way to ensure that the odds are fair and accurate, and fraud runs rampant through the system. Internet operators often shut down their web sites when too many bettors try to claim their winnings.

As Florida's Attorney General, I understand that consumer protection and law enforcement regarding gambling is difficult, particularly with Internet gambling. That's why I am writing to Congress in support of the preservation of The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which passed last year. This important legislation, previously supported by 50 Attorneys General across the country, prevents U.S. banks and credit card companies from processing payments to online gambling businesses outside the country. This law has effectively prevented illicit gambling operators from doing business in Florida and has helped reduce the dangers of convenience gambling.

Given the highly addictive force, the propensity for criminal activities, and the possible adverse effects on our tourism industry, casino gambling could conceivably be a nightmare for Florida. As our state works through issues surrounding a gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe, it is important we reflect on the potential negative consequences of expanded gambling and formulate policy accordingly.

Bill McCollum is the 36th Attorney General of Florida.

Audacious Ideas

Hathaway Ferebee sent me an email inviting me to read her post on the Open Society Institute's blog on Audacious Ideas for Baltimore. It's a pretty good read for anyone interested in solutions to some of Baltimore's more challenging problems. There are posts from Hathaway, from Dr. Alonso, and others. It's an interesting read. Check it out HERE.

And here is how the blog is described:

Audacious Ideas is a blog created to stimulate ideas and discussion about
solutions to difficult problems in Baltimore. Each week, we ask
individuals to think candidly and audaciously about what can be done to promote
opportunity, achievement, health, and prosperity in our city. Open Society
Institute-Baltimore believes that discussion and debate are critical to making
positive, lasting changes. We see this as a testing ground where ideas can
be considered and discussion can be fostered.