Turner Taking on Slot Machines

Howard Del. Frank S. Turner is about to become a very well known man – he will be determining the fate of the slot machines in the state. The House Speaker, Del. Michael E. Busch has selected Turner to be the Chairman of the Finance Resource subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee. This means that he will control slot machines in the state, as well as all other gambling – such as the lottery and horse racing.

Busch is well known for being anti-slot machine, and Turner doesn’t seem to be all that for them either. Turner said that although he is not in favor of the slot machines, he is willing to be flexible and see the issue from all sides. He said the speaker did not tell him to quash any slot machine issues, but to use his best judgment.

Many in Maryland think that slot machines are the best way to prop up a failing horse racing industry, and that with the states around them all legalizing the slot machines it may be time for Maryland to follow suit. Turner said that he is not convinced that slot machines are the best way to bring in income for the state, but that there must be other ways of doing that. He would like to see more high-paying jobs, for example, instead of just bringing in slot machines to fix their problems.

Turner said he is expecting a lot of slot machine and gambling issues to come up, and that he will tackle each one on a case by case basis. There needs to be discussions about the impact slot machines would have on the state and on the racing industry, as well as where they would go and how many slot machines would be legalized. He said he would rather see slot machines legalized though, than raise taxes on their residents.

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