Should Sports Betting Be Legal? Hogan Weighs In On Referendums

Jacob Baumgart
Updated ·3 min read
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ANNAPOLIS, MD — Voters will decide more than the presidency in the Nov. 3 election. Marylanders will also settle two ballot questions that could permit sports betting and last minute budget amendments.

Gov. Larry Hogan weighed in on the debates Monday. He endorsed the gaming measure and condemned the budget motion.

The betting referendum, known as Question 2, would allow sports gambling for the primary purpose of funding education.

"This initiative builds on the very successful ‘Hogan Lockbox,’ which puts casino revenues in a lockbox dedicated to education," Hogan said in a press release. "We are already funding our K-12 schools at record levels, and this is another way to ensure that is the case for years to come."

The governor also noted that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to eat away at state revenue. Growing the gambling industry could supplement the diminished incomes, he told NBC Sports.

"Question 2 provides a critical revenue source for public education without raising taxes on families and businesses," Hogan said.

The other referendum, named Question 1, would change how the General Assembly handles the budget.

State law requires the governor to submit a balanced budget proposal to the legislature for approval each year. Legislators may cut funding, but they cannot add to it. Question 1 looks to change that.

If passed, the referendum would allow state legislators to increase, reduce or add items to the budget as long as they do not exceed the governor's overall request. Hogan says the referendum would overturn budgetary norms and give legislators greater power to tax.

"Question 1 is a blatant cash and power grab of multi-billion dollar proportions," Hogan said. "With our state facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis, the last thing we should do is make it easier to recklessly spend more of your tax dollars."

The governor claims that he inherited and eliminated a $5.1 billion deficit without raising taxes. He worries that the General Assembly could chip away at those gains if Question 1 passes.

"Our common sense approach is working for everyone except career politicians in Annapolis," Hogan said. "Now they want to amend our Constitution, change the rules, and rig the system for more spending and higher taxes."

Question 1, if adopted, would not allow legislators to pass a budget worth more than the governor's initial suggestion.

What Questions Are On The Ballot?

These proposals are referendums that need voters' approval to become law. If passed, the first two questions would alter the listed Maryland laws.

Residents can vote for or against the following motions. Each petition's name is linked to supplementary, nonpartisan information.

Question 1 (Constitutional Amendment):

  • "The proposed amendment authorizes the General Assembly, in enacting a balancedbudget bill for fiscal year 2024 and each fiscalyear thereafter, to increase, diminish, or additems, provided that the General Assemblymay not exceed the total proposed budget assubmitted by the Governor."

  • (Amending Article II Section 17 and Article III Sections 14 and 52 of the MarylandConstitution)

Question 2 (Commercial Gaming Expansion Referendum):

  • "Do you approve the expansion of commercial gaming in the State of Maryland to authorizesports and events betting for the primarypurpose of raising revenue for education?"

  • (Ch. 492 of the 2020 Legislative Session) Expansion of Commercial Gaming - Sportsand Event Wagering

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This article originally appeared on the Annapolis Patch