Bromwell Proposes Slots Alternative to Gas Tax

Del. Eric Bromwell is gambling that this is the year the General Assembly passes his bill expanding slot machines to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

This is the fifth year the Perry Hall Democrat has proposed placing machines at the airport. Bromwell said his plan is an alternative to Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposed increase in the .

If approved, the machines would be housed in a room inside the airport.

"It was never the intent to have machines lining the walls at the airport," he said.

Bromwell said the idea is to "capture dollars from travelers who pass through the airport before they take off."

"Every month BWI records record travelers," said Bromwell. "They have money to spend."

Bromwell is the lead sponsor on two bills that would expand gambling to the airport. The first is an amendment to the state constitution allowing the expansion. The second, which has 40 co-sponsors, authorizes the machines at the airport.

Under federal law, money from gambling at airports must be used for transportation projects. Bromwell said his plan is more palatable than the alternatives.

"I have more sponsors than ever," Bromwell said. "People realize we need an alternative to the gas tax or an increase in vehicle registration fees."