Eye Opener: MGM spends $2.4 million on gambling campaign

MGM Resorts International Inc. has struck first in the cash battle that is expected to define the expanded gambling ballot campaign.

The casino company, which wants to build a resort facility with 3,000 slot machines and table games such as blackjack at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, has already devoted about $2.35 million to ballot committee For Maryland Jobs and Schools Inc., according to state elections filings.

Another $34,000 has been made as an in-kind donation.

The Washington Post first reported the news Monday.

Election filings show that, as of Aug. 24, the ballot committee has spent $330,000.

Here’s a few other Maryland government headlines:

• The Baltimore Sun reports that city elected officials and leaders are surprised by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s pick to be the next police commissioner.
• MarylandReporter.com reports that members of the Green Party and Libertarian Party are back on the election ballot in Maryland.
• The Herald-Mail reports that construction of a potential downtown Hagerstown stadium, which would receive some state funding, could start in the first half of 2013.