Chambers of Commerce

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce supports the passage of the November 4 slots referendum. The referendum is a reasonable alternative to tax increases that would otherwise be needed to stabilize Maryland’s shaky finances.

Since 2002, the Maryland Chamber has supported carefully regulated slot machines in limited locations to fund public education. Marylanders are spending hundreds of millions of dollars each year on this form of entertainment outside the State. The Maryland Chamber believes that we should keep this money at home to help fund public education.

Why the Chamber Supports the Referendum

“Passage of the slots referendum is a reasonable alternative to tax increases. Maryland cannot afford to keep sending hundreds of millions of dollars out of state. People will spend their money on this type of entertainment – regardless of the outcome of this referendum. It is our view that our state should recapture the millions being spent today in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.”
- Betty Buck, President of Buck Distributing Co., Inc. and Chairman of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce

Click here to watch Betty Buck talk more about the referendum.

“There is no realistic alternative to replace the revenue slots will generate for the State. Recapturing money spent on slots in other states will help provide needed education funding increases and prevent future tax increases.” 
- Kathleen T. Snyder, CCE, Maryland Chamber President & CEO

 "Given our long history of providing accounting services to the equine community in Maryland, we have watched the migration of the horse industry from Maryland to our neighboring states. Long gone are the days which we can stand on our soap boxes and wail about the immorality of slots, the reality is that Maryland is at a substantial disadvantage. The equine industry is part of the heritage of Maryland, not to mention an enormous economic engine as evidenced by the Maryland Horse Industry Board's eye-opening survey. The alternative to slots? Raise taxes and cut services. The choice is logical, clear and over due, Maryland needs slots."
- Andrew Rose, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Naden/Lean, LLC

Learn More

Click here to learn more about why the Chamber supports the referendum

Contact

Maryland Chamber of Commerce
60 West Street, Ste. 100
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (410) 269-0642 or (301) 261-2858
Fax: (410) 269-5247
Web: www.mdchamber.org
Email:

Local Chambers of Commerce

Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce
Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce
Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce
Calvert County Chamber of Commerce
Cecil County Chamber of Commerce
Garrett County Chamber of Commerce
Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce
Greater Washington Board of Trade
Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce
Howard County Chamber of Commerce
St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce
Queen Anne's Chamber of Commerce