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Objections from local governments could raise last-minute problems for a bill that appeared to be heading for passage in the Senate.
Sen. Roy P. Dyson, a leading opponent of expanded gambling, predicted 21 no votes -- three short of the number needed to block the bill.
The measure faces a tougher reception in the House, which has passed a bill setting up a commission to study the issue and report back next year.
Speaker Michael E. Busch reiterated yesterday that he has no interest in going any further this year.
The Senate debate yesterday lasted about two hours as opponents tried unsuccessfully to hang "killer amendments" on the bill.
Dyson, a St. Mary's County Democrat, opened the attack with an attempt to convert the bill to a constitutional amendment -- putting it on the 2004 ballot to be decided by voters.
Sen. Edward J. Kasemeyer, Miller's floor leader, countered that making such decision is what legislators are sent to Annapolis to do. The Howard County Democrat said that delaying the decision until next year could mean the state would see no slots revenue until 2006.
"We need this revenue as soon as possible," Kasemeyer said, adding that the state is facing a potential $2 billion shortfall over the next several years. The amendment was defeated, 29-17.
Sen. Paul G. Pinsky took the next shot, offering an amendment cutting the racetrack owners' share of slots proceeds from the 39 percent in the revised bill to 21 percent while raising the cut for education to the 64 percent Ehrlich initially proposed.
"Mr. Governor, I think you're right," the Prince George's County Democrat said mockingly.
Pinsky estimated that the racetracks would make a combined $1.6 billion over 15 years under the Senate bill.
Kasemeyer replied that Ehrlich has concluded that the numbers in his original bill were not workable. The Pinsky amendment lost by a 30-15 vote.
Pinsky did win approval of one amendment after Kasemeyer agreed to accept language prohibiting slot machines from accepting credit and debit cards.
Sen. Roy P. Dyson, a leading opponent of expanded gambling, predicted 21 no votes -- three short of the number needed to block the bill.
The measure faces a tougher reception in the House, which has passed a bill setting up a commission to study the issue and report back next year.
Speaker Michael E. Busch reiterated yesterday that he has no interest in going any further this year.
The Senate debate yesterday lasted about two hours as opponents tried unsuccessfully to hang "killer amendments" on the bill.
Dyson, a St. Mary's County Democrat, opened the attack with an attempt to convert the bill to a constitutional amendment -- putting it on the 2004 ballot to be decided by voters.
Sen. Edward J. Kasemeyer, Miller's floor leader, countered that making such decision is what legislators are sent to Annapolis to do. The Howard County Democrat said that delaying the decision until next year could mean the state would see no slots revenue until 2006.
"We need this revenue as soon as possible," Kasemeyer said, adding that the state is facing a potential $2 billion shortfall over the next several years. The amendment was defeated, 29-17.
Sen. Paul G. Pinsky took the next shot, offering an amendment cutting the racetrack owners' share of slots proceeds from the 39 percent in the revised bill to 21 percent while raising the cut for education to the 64 percent Ehrlich initially proposed.
"Mr. Governor, I think you're right," the Prince George's County Democrat said mockingly.
Pinsky estimated that the racetracks would make a combined $1.6 billion over 15 years under the Senate bill.
Kasemeyer replied that Ehrlich has concluded that the numbers in his original bill were not workable. The Pinsky amendment lost by a 30-15 vote.
Pinsky did win approval of one amendment after Kasemeyer agreed to accept language prohibiting slot machines from accepting credit and debit cards.
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