A group of Montgomery County leaders held a press conference yesterday to oppose the November 4 slots referendum and support additional tax increases, including a 1 percent sales tax on professional services, income tax increase, alcohol tax increase and more. Read more about the press conference here.

Since 2002, the Maryland Chamber has supported carefully regulated slot machines in limited locations to fund public education. Marylanders are spending hundreds of millions of dollars each year on this form of entertainment outside the State. The Maryland Chamber believes that we should keep this money at home to help fund public education.

As a result of the 2007 special session, Maryland businesses are already paying $600 million is new taxes.

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce supports the November 4 slots referendum. It’s a reasonable alternative to tax increases that would otherwise be needed to stabilize Maryland’s shaky finances. To learn more about the referendum, visit www.formaryland.org.