Annapolis – House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell and Minority Whip Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio today sent a letter to Speaker of the House Michael E. Busch expressing the Caucus’ opposition to a Special Session to deal with gaming legislation.
“With annual 90-day sessions, it is our view that Special Sessions should only be called in times of true, rather than contrived, crisis”, reads the letter. “We do not see any crisis or emergency that would necessitate a Special Session, nor has any reason been given why this must be done now. Holding the debate until the regular session in 2013 may delay the question going to the voters until the 2014 election, but it will give legislators and voters alike the time to consider the issue thoughtfully. No matter where one stands on the issue, the question of whether or not to expand gaming in Maryland deserves a full and thoughtful vetting through the regular legislative process.”
The letter was hand delivered to the Speaker’s office this morning. Copies were also sent to Senate President Mike Miller and Governor O’Malley. The full text of the letter is available here.
Something is wrong if we have to resort to gaming income to increase liberal state run welfare programs. Is there that much disposable income in today’s economy to warrant this kind of demand. Or are we creating a gaming coulture to fund more leasure welfare programs.