Today’s Gazette of Politics and Business features a story detailing Maryland’s shaky budget situation and outlining the importance of the November 4 slots referendum.

State revenues continue to tumble and are unlikely to level off in the upcoming fiscal year, Bureau of Revenue Estimates Director David F. Roose said this week.

Sales tax receipts have grown by less than 2 percent in the fiscal year that ends Monday, largely accounting for the depressed figures, he said.

”We had expected very low growth and we’re getting even less than that,” said Roose, noting that typical growth is between 4 percent and 6 percent. Income tax withholdings, which account for about half of all state revenues, are largely holding steady.

Read the full story here.