Maryland senate rejects slot budget plan

MARYLAND – As reported by the Baltimore Sun: "The state Senate today rejected a Republican plan to close a projected budget shortfall next year by slashing spending, foreclosing the possibility that the General Assembly will tackle the looming budget deficit this year.

"The unsuccessful bid to cut Gov. Martin O'Malley's budget proposal came a week after a similar effort in the House of Delegates. The Senate and House of Delegates are left to reconcile the differences between the two versions of O'Malley's budget proposal they have passed.

"The Senate Republicans' plan would have taken most spending growth out of O'Malley's proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Republicans said that move, if coupled with the legalization of slot machines in Maryland, would enable the state to close the expected gap between revenues and spending -- now projected at $1.5 billion next year -- without raising taxes…"