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Illegal immigration crackdown, gambling among defeated Md. bills
By: Hayley Peterson

April 15, 2010


About 1,900 bills stopped short of the governor's desk before Monday's closing bell, while Gov. Martin O'Malley prepares to sign into law nearly 800 bills passed this General Assembly session.

The House rejected a number of Senate bills, including a measure to permit Las Vegas-style card games in Prince George's County, a tax credit for donating money to private school scholarships and a bill that would legalize medical marijuana.

The House also stalled a bill in committee that would permit local police officers to act as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Both chambers killed a handful of bills that would help identify illegals in local jails and prisons.

Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler's recent mandate that state agencies begin recognizing same-sex unions for tax purposes spurred an especially heated same-sex marriage debate this year. But as usual, bills filed on both sides of the issue quickly died in committee. Del. Don H. Dwyer Jr., R-Anne Arundel, attempted to impeach Gansler for his mandate, which also failed on the House floor.

The assembly also killed a 10-cent alcohol tax and a measure that would legalize direct wine shipments.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. blamed his failed initiatives on the House of Delegates.

He said the House "crippled" his measure to add card games to Prince George's bankrupt Rosecroft Raceway. After the House buried his bill in committee, Miller made a last-ditch effort to attach the games to an unrelated bill -- which the House also killed.

"There are new members over there [in the House] and they are very timid, despite the fact that every county voted overwhelmingly in favor of [card games] they are afraid to move forward," Miller said. "Now Rosecroft is going to close."

House Speaker Michael E. Busch has repeatedly said he wants to get the state's slots program up and running before considering card games.

Miller also lamented House provisions to a bill that would help Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort land a slots contractor.

"I'm extremely disappointed with slots," he said. "Both governors have tried hard, but they meet this recalcitrance in the House."

Busch said he thought the House and Senate were especially "collegial" and "cooperative" this year.


hpeterson@washingtonexaminer.com


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