O'Malley announcement expected Friday

Gov.Martin O'Malley's press office is alerting State House reporters that an announcement concerning an expected special session of the General Assembly to deal with the issue of expanded gambling will come Friday.

Some reports that came out after House Speaker Michael E. Busch said Wednesday that he expects O'Malley to call such a session  indicated that an announcement could come Thursday. But the governor's communications director, Raquel Guillory, said the announcement has been set for 10 a.m. and that the governor will be joined by Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller.

There's still no word on the exact date. Most speculation is centered on the week of Aug. 6-10. The General Assembly would have to act by Aug. 20 to assure that any question could be put on the November ballot. The week of Aug. 13-17 would be complicated because much of Annapolis will decamp to Ocean City late that week for the summer meeting of the Maryland Association of Counties.