Prominent State Delegate takes up fight against casino in Prince George's

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Delegate Heather Mizeur (D-Montgomery County) today launched a fundraising drive to help stave off the oncoming push by casino advocates like MGM before this weeks Special Session of the Maryland General Assembly.

Mizeur, who is one of the states most prominent progressive members of the House of Delegates. As a leader in the LGBT movement, many credit her for final passage this year of the marriage equality legislation. She is also one of the most high profile advocates in support of the state’s Dream Act legislation which passed last year. Now Mizeur is taking on some of her states most powerful leaders, Governor Martin O’Malley, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Senate President Mike Miller, as well as the executives from Prince George’s and Montgomery, and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake. Why? To oppose the further expansion of the state’s casino industry. “Nothing worth fighting for is ever easy,” wrote Mizeur in an email to supporters today.

Legislators are expected to gather in Annapolis for their second special session starting Thursday. Members of the State Senate expect to hold a hearing on a bill proposed by Governor O’Malley Thursday and act on that bill as soon as Friday. The Senate approved a gambling bill during the regular session so much of the debate is expected to take place in the House of Delegates. Delegates plan to gather Friday for a series of hearings, use the weekend to mark up a bill, and debate it as soon as Monday on the floor. It is not clear that supporters have the seventy-one votes necessary to pass the bill yet, and with the announcement Speaker Michael Busch does not plan to whip votes or promise favors to get votes, getting to that number can be a challenge.

That Mizeur has taken such a high profile stance could be more than just about policy. Rumors have been going around for weeks she is exploring a possible statewide run for either Attorney General or Comptroller, however The Baltimore Sun who accompanied Mizeur on the stump in Prince George’s County started spectulation of a run for Governor. Most of the possible candidates for governor have not taken public positions on the casino legislation (Attorney General Doug Gansler and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman) expect the Lt. Governor Anthony Brown who supports it and Comptroller Peter Franchot who opposes it.

Read the text of Mizeur’s email below -

Dear Friend:   Nothing worth fighting for is ever easy. Corporate interests are already pounding Maryland’s airwaves with commercials designed to win passage of a gaming expansion during the upcoming special session. Fat-cat casino operators are striking deals, trading for votes, and writing campaign checks. Can determined advocates fight them and make a difference? You bet we can. But only with your help. Can you contribute $6 , $16, or $60 today to fight against a sixth mega-casino and table games in Maryland? The Baltimore Sun followed me to Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Prince George’s County on Sunday. My plan for real job creation, not gaming, got a standing ovation from the crowd of 1,500: Mizeur urged the gathering to oppose a gaming expansion. Instead of creating jobs at casinos, she said, the state should put people to work on transportation projects and school construction. “There are so many ways to create jobs in this state that lift us up and not tear us down.” Will you chip in to join us? You can count on me to be your voice for smarter investments in education, transportation, and high technology over more gaming. We’re connecting advocates with legislators, building enthusiasm, and distributing anti-gaming handouts to grow the movement. But there is a cost to running any campaign. Your $6, $16, or $60 contribution will keep our momentum going. I do this work because I love it. Of course, we will continue our advocacy even if you cannot make a contribution. But every time you support one of our causes, that’s one more citizen joining our powerful grassroots team to fight for Maryland’s future. I deeply appreciate your support and the trust you have given me to be your representative. Thank you for all you do, Heather Mizeur P.S. – On my website you can support our efforts, learn about my alternative jobs plan, and read the Baltimore Sun‘s coverage of my speech in Prince George’s County. Follow Me on Twitter Connect with Me on Facebook

 

Paid for by the Friends of Heather Mizeur, Jose Dominguez, Treasurer, PO Box 11290, Takoma Park, MD 20913

Friends of Heather Mizeur
PO Box 11920
Takoma Park, MD 20913Follow The Real Prince George’s on Facebook and Twitter. Also get the latest in your inbox by subscribing on the right side of the page.

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