Is a cold snap exposing a big lie in Maryland school funding?

Gambling money rolls in, but then state diverts other funds

...That's because the state officials who approved casino gambling in 2008 — Gov. Martin O'Malley and his Democratic allies in the General Assembly — didn't require that school aid keep pace with the growth in gambling.

State budget analysts say the money from the casino-fueled Education Trust Fund is, in fact, going to schools. But that stream has allowed the governor and lawmakers to take money that once went to schools and redirect it to pay salaries, fund roadwork and support other government programs and services.

"While gambling was sold as a way to bring in more money for education, it really hasn't been putting more money in schools," said Benjamin Orr, director of the Maryland Center on Economic Policy. "We've essentially invested the same amount of money in our schools that we would have with or without legalized gambling."...

...When the General Assembly was considering casino gambling in 2009, Del. Curt Anderson sponsored a bill that would have forced state officials to use the trust fund money to increase funding for education. It died in committee...

 http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-casino-education-20170121-story.html

WPost: Leggett, Hixson & Luedtke and Campaign Contributions from racetrack and casino affiliated companies

...
3. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) $8,000
Donors: W.M. Rickman Construction Co., River Sandy Landing
...
8. Del. Sheila E. Hixson (D-Montgomery), chairwoman of Ways & Means Committee $2,750
Donors: Ocean Downs (racetrack), Cambridge Plaza, Rickman Travilah
9. Del. Eric Luedtke (D-Montgomery), chairman of Ways and Means subcommittee $2,500
Donors: Ocean Downs (racetrack), W.M. Rickman Construction Company

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Delegate Luedtke is also a MCPS middle school teacher.

...One recipient, Del. Eric D. Lued­tke (D-Montgomery), was unsure of the legality of a $500 contribution he received last fall from Ocean Downs, the Rickman-controlled company that runs the racetrack where Rickman’s casino opened in January 2011. 

So Luedtke contacted the Maryland attorney general’s office for advice about whether he could accept the money. He was told that nothing in the 2012 law prohibited him from accepting the track’s contribution, and he decided to keep the money. In May, Luedtke, who chairs a Ways and Means Committee panel with jurisdiction over gaming issues, also received a $2,000 check from Rickman’s construction company. 

Luedtke said he’s not entirely comfortable with forbidding donations by specific industries. “Why just casinos? Why not banks?” he asked. “If we’re concerned that contributions can affect policy, then why not a broader ban?”...

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/despite-2012-law-casino-cash-finds-its-way-to-candidates-in-maryland/2014/08/04/db88aeaa-17f9-11e4-9e3b-7f2f110c6265_story.html

MCCPTA Clarification on Question 7: We have taken NO position.

MCCPTA (Montgomery County Council of PTAs) would like to get out the word that it has taken a NO/NO position in Question 7.  Please go here for more information.  From the website:

MCCPTA HAS ADOPTED NO/NO POSITION 

MCCPTA was just alerted (10/29/12) that our logo appears on TV ads and our name on a list of organizations supporting Question 7. We have taken NO/NO position and MCCPTA has not authorized any organization involved with this ballot issue to use our name or our logo in advertisements, pro, con, or ambivalent.

THE BELOW WAS POSTED AS BACKGROUND INFORMATION ONLY 

There is a lot of discussion and concern on this Question, and debate over exactly where the extra revenues would end up, and if state schools would truly benefit.  MCCPTA has taken no position on Question 7.

Using public education to support gambling

Maryland Senate President Mike Miller will be on "Political Pulse" to discuss the gaming expansion ballot initiative (Question 7 on the November, 2012 Ballot) and its impact on education spending in Montgomery County and Maryland.  "Political Pulse" airs Thursdays at 9 PM on Montgomery Municipal Cable Channel 16. 

The interview will be available on-line after it airs (go to www.mmctv.org and click Videos tab, then click Political Pulse).  Political Pulse is on Channel 16 TV in Montgomery County, MD

Montgomery Co. Senators For Gambling

Just so you know...

VOTING FOR THE BILL

Forehand, Jennie M. (D-Montgomery)

Garagiola, Robert J. (D-Montgomery)

King, Nancy J. (D-Montgomery)

Madaleno, Richard S., Jr. (D-Montgomery)

Manno, Roger (D-Montgomery)

VOTING AGAINST THE BILL

Frosh, Brian E. (D-Montgomery)

Montgomery, Karen S. (D-Montgomery)

Raskin, Jamin B. (Jamie) (D-Montgomery)