Business and Labor Leaders Agree: Slots Should Remain on the Table for Prince George’s County
AFSCME, UFCW, National Black Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Business Alliance, Prince George’s County Contractors and Business Association and the Maryland Minority Contractors Association Issue Letters of Support for Slots
(Prince George’s County, MD; November 14, 2011) – In an effort to prevent the Prince George’s County Council from implementing a ban on slots in the county, leaders from both business and labor have weighed into the debate regarding slots in Prince George’s County.
The following are excerpts from letters sent by each of the organizations to the Prince George’s County Council. Copies of the full letters are available upon request.
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees:
“The County has struggled to meet its contractual obligations to public employees, employees who have sacrificed significant income through the loss of negotiated COLAs, furloughs and reduced overtime. CB49-‐2011, by banning the operation of slot machines, closes the door to revenue opportunities which should at the very least be fully discussed.”
Maryland Minority Contractors Association:
“Please stand with us as we fight to keep construction opportunities open in Prince George’s County. If there is a decision to be made on local gaming alternatives, let’s leave it to a vote of the citizens.”
Metropolitan Business Alliance
“The Metropolitan Business Alliance (MBA) is a consortium of 2,000 plus contractors in various industries including professional services, non-‐medical healthcare, and construction to name a few. As your constitutes, our members solicit your immediate help to revive a digressing local economy and housing market with a Vote of NO on CB-‐49. Specifically, we support Penn National Gaming proposed plan to put slots at Rosecroft Raceway, a plan that epitomizes local economic growth, diversity, and community support.”
United Food & Commercial Workers International Union Local 27:
Local 27 have represented employees at Rosecroft Raceway for over 40 years. Through that period, we have witnessed the slow march of the track to bankruptcy. In order to thrive as a track, spur local economic development, and create jobs, we need to keep open all possibilities for growth at Rosecroft. Without it, the track may not remain viable.”
National Black Chamber of Commerce:
“... it has been our ongoing belief that gaming does in fact provide positive economic impacts to communities who choose to welcome it. The National Black Chamber of Commerce represents over 1.9 million Black-‐owned businesses across the United States (US Census Bureau 2007), including Maryland. Opportunity does not stop at the door of the casino – it reaches far into the community providing opportunity for minority construction and trades companies as well as ongoing purchasing programs to supply the endless needs of the casino operations. For this reason, the NBCC supports gaming and the opportunities it brings to minority-‐owned businesses.”
Prince George’s County Contractors and Business Association
“Today, I write to you in support of Penn National Gaming and their efforts to bring quality development and gaming to Rosecroft Raceway, and urge you to vote against CB-‐49-‐2011.”
The Prince George’s County Council will be addressing CB49, the bill to ban slots in Prince George’s County, tomorrow (Tuesday November 15th) during its regularly scheduled meeting.
