News
October 03, 2008
FOR MARYLAND Begins TV-Ad Campaign
BALTIMORE, MD - For Maryland For Our Future today begins airing its first TV ad, "Afford," to promote the passage of Question 2, the so-called slots referendum. The latest Rasmussen Reports survey in Maryland put Question 2 ahead 54-35%.
Question 2 will generate $660 million dedicated to new education funding each year, because the referendum requires that K-through-twelve public schools and Maryland's higher education institutions must receive 48.5-51% of total annual gross revenues from slot machine gambling, which is the highest percentage given to education in the country. State courts have ruled that the primary purpose of Question 2 is funding education. The slots referendum has been endorsed by the Maryland State Teachers Association.
Question 2 has also been endorsed by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Greater Baltimore Committee because it prevents future tax increases.
The full text of "Afford" is attached with detailed side-by-side documentation and backup. For Maryland For Our Future also just successfully completed its first round of statewide radio ads.
The new TV ads are also intended to correct the misleading and false public statements of Comptroller Peter Franchot. In the past year, Peter Franchot has tried to run away from his record on slots.
- In 1998, Franchot was a cosponsor of HB 678, a constitutional amendment that would have created 10 slot facilities with 11,250 machines. A hearing was held on February 26, 1998. http://mlis.state.md.us/PDF-Documents/1998rs/fnotes/bil_0008/hb0678.PDF.
- In 2001, Franchot was a cosponsor of HB 1170, a constitutional amendment that would have created four slot facilities with 10,000 machines. A hearing was held on March 12, 2001. http://mlis.state.md.us/PDF-Documents/2001rs/fnotes/bil_0000/hb1170.PDF.
