Two statewide ballot questions posed this election as Constitutional Amendments, one to legalize sporting betting and the other to give General Assembly members more authority in crafting the state budget, are passing with comfortable margins.
As reported by Maryland Matters,
Question 1 was supported by 75% of voters as of early Wednesday, with 25% opposed.
The budget referendum will allow lawmakers to increase, decrease and move money around in the state’s spending blueprint, subject to the overall cap set by the governor. The legislature’s new powers take effect in 2023, the year Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) leaves office due to term limits.
Supporters of the Constitutional Amendments believe the change will lead future lawmakers and governors to work collaboratively. Maryland’s governor currently has the strongest budget authority in the nation, with General Assembly members only able to cut money from the proposal. Lawmakers cannot rearrange money within the budget.
The passage of Question 2, meantime, adds Maryland to the growing tide of states that have legalized sports gambling — 18 in all, including Delaware, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.
Betting on sports is expected to generate approximately $18 million a year in new funds for education.
The referendum was silent on where sports betting will occur. The General Assembly, which deadlocked on a high-profile measure in March, is expected to take another crack at it beginning in January.
The state’s race tracks, casinos and pro sports teams — all represented by top lobbying talent — will vie for a license to host on-site betting.
Additional coverage can by found in the Baltimore Sun and The Daily Record.
