A letter to Governor O'Malley:
When you first assumed office, you made it clear that you favored bringing slot gambling back to Maryland as a way to raise revenue for the state. Many citizens were against legalizing this exploitive activity which has historically been associated with crime. Yet when the General Assembly refused to go on record as being for or against the measure, it went to referendum as Question 2 on the ballot in 2008 and passed. Then many individuals in Anne Arundel County voted for the measure, assuming that a slot casino would not really affect them and that it might keep taxes lower, an idea which you and others strongly promoted. Ironically, when David Cordish submitted his company's bid to build the casino at Arundel Mills mall, many of those same citizens who voted for Question 2 cried "foul," and with strong financial backing from the Jockey Club, launched a petition drive to "Stop Slots at Mall" since they did not want a casino near their homes after all. This was after months of partisan debate and hedging in the Anne Arundel County Council. You also claimed you preferred the casino for the racetrack during the heated back-and forth- over Question A at the time.
