Where Were the Slot Machines?

In Governor Martin O’Malley’s State of the State address this week, many were wondering where the slot machines were? Some say that Ehrlich seemed almost obsessed with the slots, while O’Malley has barely mentioned them. They are wondering where he is planning on bringing in all the additional revenue that he has been talking about, since slots were never mentioned.

Some fear that he may be so concerned with not asking for slot machines, and thus rocking the proverbial boat, that he might race taxes instead. O’Malley supporters say this is not the case; that O’Malley is simply looking to other revenue sources before he makes a decision as big as legalizing slot machines, for it will impact the state for years to come.

Others say that he is simply new to the office, as he has only held the job for two weeks and is still exploring the ins and outs of the budget, trying to decide if he needs the slot machines or if he can hold off a while longer. Many legislators say that the time to legalize the slot machines is now, and that to hold off would just mean more problems in the future.

O’Malley made references to “a huge looming structural deficit” but as far as many could tell, did not have a plan for fixing that deficit. Most agree that they can only think of two things that would help, one is raising taxes and the other is legalizing slot machines. It seems that whether he chooses the slots or the taxes, there are bound to be people unhappy.

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