O’Malley hits House leaders on gambling; Busch says he’s open to talk

Gov. Martin O’Malley blasted House of Delegates leadership Thursday in a statement that indicates the gambling debate in Maryland is not yet over this summer.

“The [gambling expansion] commission arrived at a consensus for moving forward to resolve issues around gambling in Maryland. For some reason, the House leadership at the last minute decided they did not want to share in that consensus,” the governor said. “Finding common ground will be difficult if House leadership has become invested in the notion that the Anne Arundel site should enjoy a virtual monopoly for as long as possible.”

Eight members of the 11-member work group agreed to authorize a Prince George’s County casino at a lower tax rate and also agreed to other, less controversial measures. But all three delegates in the group voted against the majority opinion.

O’Malley’s statement went on to say that he would talk with Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert and Prince George’s, House Speaker Michael E. Busch, D-Anne Arundel, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III and work group Chairman John W. Morton III “over the next several days.”

O’Malley’s statement came about 30 minutes after Busch said he felt the gambling debate should continue.

“There was agreement on 98 percent of what the commission laid forward. That’s pretty good in most situations,” Busch said. “In all fairness … you have to leave that door open.”

Busch spoke to reporters in his State House office twice Thursday afternoon. In the first conversation, he said a special session was O’Malley’s decision. Thirty minutes later, Busch’s staff called reporters back to the speaker’s office, where he said negotiations should continue.

“I think everybody ought to keep an open mind here,” Busch said. “The governor wants to sit down with me, I want to sit down with the governor.”

Miller could not be reached for comment.