Supporters, Opponents Of Expanded Gambling Each Raise Money To Influence Special Session
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- War of words. Supporters and opponents of expanded gambling are spending more than a million dollars to influence the outcome of this week's special session.
Political reporter Pat Warren looks at what's at stake for each side.
Attack ads target this week's special session, as those for and against expanded gambling call each other out.
"Essentially, they're special interests accusing one another of being special interests and they're appealing to our special interest," said Matthew Crenson, political analyst.
And it's your vote in November they're betting on. But first, a bill has to pass the General Assembly.
One group running support ads, Building Trades for the National Harbor, rallied at the State House.
"They ought to be putting, creating opportunities like this, running it, supporting it and putting folks to work. That's what they ought to be doing," said a spokesman.
Opponents running ads, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, also sent out a mailer.
"We look at this almost as one of those earmarks where we're saying, you get a tax break, the other guy doesn't," said one.
But political observers take it all with a grain of salt.
"I doubt very much that the people who are engaged in producing and paying for these ads are selfless humanitarians with a pure devotion to the public good," said Crenson.
The special session starts Thursday.
Governor Martin O'Malley is expected to release a bill for lawmakers to consider Tuesday night or Wednesday.
