News-Letter

Media Credit: Annie Lin Despite strong opposition, the Maryland slots referendum passed in last week's election.

Maryland residents passed a hotly contested referendum proposing slot machines funding education as a solution to the state's budgetary crisis, hours after which Baltimore City approved a $4.1-million purchase of land south of the city's downtown that will be used to build a casino.

Question 2, which passed 59 percent for and 41 percent against in both Baltimore City and overall in Maryland, was cause for fierce debate between groups organized around the issue. In recent weeks the controversy reached the Hopkins campus.

The success of "Question 2" will result in the amendment of the Maryland State Constitution, adding Article XIX, which will allow the state to grant licenses for up to 15,000 slot machines at five locations across the state. These locations will include Baltimore City, Laurel, Rocky Gap, Cecil County and the Eastern Shore.

On Oct. 8, Comptroller Peter Franchot wrote a public letter to University President William Brody, denouncing Hopkins's Senior Associate for Finance and Administration Frederick Puddester.

Franchot, who once co-sponsored two bills in the Maryland State legislature to introduce a gaming industry, opposed Question 2 based on his claim that the proposal would increase crime and addiction across the state.

Franchot served as a member of the steering committee of Marylanders United to Stop Slots. In his letter, Franchot denounced Puddester for his involvement as chairman of the pro-slots group and warned Brody that allowing a senior administration official to be involved in such a campaign risked sullying the Hopkins name.

"I fear that Dean Puddester's actions will reflect negatively on the reputation of Hopkins University and its staff, as the Dean is now a full-time attack dog for a political campaign funded by the gambling industry while still in your employ," Franchot wrote.

Puddester was asked by O'Malley to chair the pro-slots campaign For Maryland For Our Future, which Franchot accused of negative campaigning and an attempt "to buy the upcoming election."

Puddester is also the chair of the Maryland Stadium Authority, which also stands to benefit from the new legislation.

"Mr. Puddester was involved in the campaign on his own time, and like any citizen he is free to do that," Dennis O'Shea, executive director of communication and public affairs, said.

Continued...

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