Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker told top Maryland officials Monday that his county needs new revenue if the state is going to shift part of the ballooning teacher pension burden onto local jurisdictions, and that a casino at National Harbor is the perfect way to add jobs and revenue for both the county and state.
On the eve of negotiations for a special session among Gov. Martin O'Malley, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. and House Speaker Michael Busch, the county executive took another opportunity to outline his case for a $1 billion casino in Prince George's.
It's common sense for a special session that's all about new revenues -- state lawmakers need the extra time to pass a package of tax increases to fund Maryland's operating budget -- should also include a vote on a casino that could add millions of dollars in new revenue for Prince George's County and the state, Baker wrote.
"I imagine that a [hypothetical] County Executive O'Malley, Miller or Busch would seize the opportunity for over 6,000 new jobs, $69 million in revenue, and the potential for a tourist destination, which could both bring millions of visitors and new investments to your jurisdiction and the state of Maryland," Baker wrote. "Any responsible leader would." - Ben Giles
