Politics & Government

Del. Glass Reiterates Stance Against Special Session

Del. Glen Glass represents parts of Harford and Cecil counties.

Del. Glen Glass (R-Harford) maintains that he if one is called.

As of Monday, Glass was the only elected official publicly declaring that he would boycott a session.

Gov. Martin O'Malley referenced such a boycott in a comment last week.

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"Look some delegates might not come, and they will have to answer to their people for that. I think most delegates will come, and I think that even those who might want to vote against it, will understand that they have an obligation to the people that they represent, and that they serve to show up for work," O'Malley said, according to WBAL.

Glass reiterated his stance Monday, releasing the following statement:

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"The Governor is correct that we do have an obligation to the people that we represent to show up for work and, I promise that I will be working. I will be in my district, with my constituents, working on things that really matter instead of blowing up to $20,000 a day of their money just to discuss adding another casino. A Special Session is for emergencies only and this does not constitute an emergency. In the history of the United States, no state has ever expanded gaming before first opening and stabilizing the legislated casinos and examining how they perform. My job is not to be in the hands of the corporations and I will not take any part in lowering taxes for corporations after the Democrats just raised them on Marylanders. Changing the rules of the game, which Governor O’Malley originally wrote himself, for businesses such as Maryland Live in the middle of their current agreements is a terrible policy for advancing private business in Maryland. I’m not trying to start a back and forth dialogue between myself and the Governor but my constituents do support this boycott. I urge all Marylanders to call the Governor’s office and ask him not to have a Special Session to take up gambling expansion."

Maryland currently has two casinos in operation—one in Perryville and another in Anne Arundel County.

Harford County Executive David Craig recently y—specifically  based on the Susquehanna River. Havre de Grace Mayor Wayne Dougherty was intrigued by the idea of .

Other Harford County officials .

Glass, , said: "If we are called back into session, I will be working in my district and spending time with my constituents instead of blowing taxpayer money on this nonsense."

Friday, he issued another statement, suggesting a new casino at National Harbor would "oversaturate" the state.

TELL US: Do you think Glass and others should attend or boycott a special session if one is called? Leave a comment.


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