Published: November 04, 2007 12:37 am      

Gaming bill passage not likely

Sen. George Edwards: ‘It’s just an extra layer of bureaucracy’

CUMBERLAND — David Nedved, former Allegany County Gaming administrator, feels that all bets are off regarding House Bill 14.

The legislation, proposed last week in the General Assembly’s special session, would give regulatory authority of tip jar gaming to the Maryland State Lottery Agency. The state agency would then regulate all gaming in Maryland’s four western-most counties of Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett.

The state also would receive the tax revenue generated through gaming. In Allegany and Washington counties, that revenue is currently allocated to education, fire and rescue squads and charitable organizations.

Delegate Shane Pendergrass, D-Howard County, said she introduced the bill as a revenue-generating idea for the state. Given the current budget deficit, she said, all topics should be open for discussion.

But Nedved said the overwhelmingly passionate, practical opposition to the bill makes it unlikely it will even get out of committee. The bill might not even come to a vote, he said.

“Boy, I tell ya, I wouldn’t want to bet in favor of this bill at all,” Nedved said on the drive back to Cumberland from Annapolis, where he testified against the bill Saturday. “They came out in droves (against the bill). It might not come out of committee. I feel fairly confident this thing won’t go much further, but nothing is guaranteed in this life.”

Nedved, along with newly appointed Gaming Administrator Gerald Joy, said 26 people testified against the bill, most of them from Washington County. There, charitable organizations such as food pantries, libraries and community energy assistance programs benefit from Washington County’s allocation of gaming tax revenue.

Joy agreed. He said one lawmaker recommended any future gaming bill include the entire state — not target Western Maryland.

“I think life will go on as it is,” Joy said. “Unless this thing takes on a whole new life, I don’t see the prospect of it going too far.”

Nedved said Delegate Kevin Kelly led Allegany County’s fight against the bill.

“He kind of spoke for the group,” Nedved said. “He was the one who spoke the loudest and the longest.”

Bruce Bereano, a lobbyist for Frank Moran and Sons Inc., a licensed wholesaler and distributor in Allegany County, also testified against the bill. He invited lawmakers to visit Allegany County and see gaming in action. He said many people are having fun all the while knowing a portion of the money goes towards worthwhile causes.

Nedved said a food pantry representative in Washington County asked lawmakers how they could think about taking money away from charitable organizations when young children are going hungry.

Allegany County Commissioners had directed on Thursday during their regular meeting that Nedved and Joy represent the county in Annapolis. In an open letter against the bill, the commissioners pointed out gaming proceeds benefit education and fire and rescue here. From July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007, organizations split more than $575,000, including $432,253 for education.

Since 2003, total allocations include more than $1.5 million for education and $525,120 for fire and rescue.

Senator George Edwards on Wednesday forecasted the bill might not go too far. He said local gaming regulations might have issues but “in my opinion, the counties handle it very well.”

“We can take care of our own paper gaming,” Edwards said. “It’s just an extra layer of bureaucracy and I don’t think it’s going anywhere.”

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.