Student Response to Slots

Students across the USM are responding in a variety of ways to representative student groups taking positions on Referendum Question 2 on the Maryland ballot authorizing slots.

• The Towson Towerlight highlighted student discontent from the Black Student Union and other groups in a recent article.
• The Diamondback highlighted in an article today the inaction, despite action by other student groups, of the UMCP SGA.
• The Retriever Weekly highlighted the SGA's action in an article and opinion piece.
  
• The UMBCUnderground Blog discussed the SGA's position a few days ago in a post discussion 
• The USM Student Council endorsed the referendum (6-1-4) in a letter to Chancellor Kirwan.

In general, student groups have been split, about 2/3 in support, and 1/3 in opposition.  Many have felt uneasy supporting a position either way and would have preferred to take no position (as did UMCP SGA).  Others felt a strong obligation to take a stand.

Has any of this impacted your vote on question 2?

USM Student Council Meeting 10/12 Meeting

The USM Student Council met Sunday 10/12. Council members considered a number of issues. Here is also my report, highlighting a number of pressing issues. Here is a highlight of the meeting:

• Election of Officers- David Walker (Bowie), Chair; Brady Walker (UB), Vice Chair; Scarlett Corso (UB) Secretary/Treasurer
• The Council discussed whether or not to take a position on the slots referendum, and ended up supporting the initiative 6-1-4. Leadership will draft a letter to the Chancellor to express the opinion of students.
• Brady Walker (UB) plans to develop a "platform" for the Council on various issues to enhance advocacy efforts.
• Michael Castello (UMBC) is working with Don Spicer and Andy Clark from the USM to proactively address issues on filesharing.
• The Council discussed issues of diversity and plans to research how campuses address diversity conflicts and what resources are available for students.
  

Here is a brief excerpt from my report, highlighting the current fiscal position for higher education in Maryland:

The Governor will propose mid-year budgets cuts (FY09) to higher education to the Board of Public Works this coming Wednesday, October 15. The Sun reported that cuts might amount to $30 million, with $10 million from the operating budget and $20 million from the general fund balance. The Governor aims to cut $423 million from this year’s budget on Wednesday to make up for lower than expected tax revenues. This cut could expand before Wednesday, and we might very well see more mid-year budget cuts down the line in FY09. The decision on the slots referendum will likely impact the Governor’s cuts in coming months.

Planning for the FY10 operating budget has begun. The Department of Budget and Management has planned for a 6.4% increase in state fund support and a 4% increase in tuition. These numbers will undoubtedly change in coming months as policymakers get a better handle of projected tax revenues.

Please post any comments or questions and I will be sure that I find you the answer.

USM Student Council Endorses Slots Referendum

The USMSC voted yesterday to endorse the slots referendum by a vote of 6-1-4. Each institution has one vote, and all voting institutions were represented. Representatives discussed for a good while whether or not the Council should take a position on the referendum. A number of institutions, including UB, UMB, UMBC, and Towson, had spoken at length with institution-based student governments and expressed those viewpoints at the meeting. Other student representatives relied on informal conversations with students on campus.

The USMSC Leadership will communicate the opinion of the Council in a letter by next week.

Towson SGA Endorses Slots

The Towson SGA endorsed the slots referendum Tuesday night. The Towson Towerlight covered the decision in an article today. The Towerlight also published an Op-Ed piece speaking out against the decision.

I had the opportunity to attend the SGA meeting and was impressed by the discourse of the SGA. The final vote was 17-8. The USM Student Council will consider a similar resolution this coming weekend.

UMBC SGA Endorses Slots Referendum

Last night, the UMBC Student Government Association voted to endorse referendum question 2 for the upcoming election, supporting the restricted use of slots in Maryland. The legislation outlines that funds from slots will be used to fund education in Maryland, including up to $150 million in higher education construction dollars each year. Also, the Higher Education Investment Fund funded through the Corporate Income Tax, bringing in about $55 million to higher education each year, will only be retained if slots pass. If the referendum fails, those dollars will be dumped into the general fund. Six of the nine Senators voted for the resolution, none opposed, and three abstained from the vote.

The resolution preludes an expected vote by the USM Student Council at its upcoming meeting on October 12. On a related note, the Towson student government association will consider a similar resolution this evening at their 5pm meeting.

USM Imposes Hiring Freezes

In response the the impending budget cuts, the USM has imposed a hiring freeze across all USM institutions as per a memo sent to all state institutions Thursday afternoon.

How are these measures to combat the declining USM budget going to affect designated growth institutions like Towson University who plans to increase the next few years of freshman classes by 700 students. Can schools that are on track with a growth plan, increasing the student body an building new facilities survive these freezes if we cannot hire staff and faculty to teach more classes?

Read Article Here

USMSC - First Impressions

Like Brian, Sunday was my first experience attending a USMSC meeting. I'd had the opportunity to hear a lot of the news from my fellow UMBC students who were involved in the council last year, so it was exciting to be a part of it myself. It's refreshing to be a part of a group of students from across the state who care about continuing to improve our higher education system.

There are a number of important issues that we are going to be making decisions about in the next few months. Most of the technical details have already been posted here by Josh, so I'd like to talk a bit about the directions I think the council should go.

The issue of slot machines in Maryland has been controversial for years. This November, we'll be voting on a constitutional amendment to allow their placement in several specific locations across the state. Some of the money earned from the slots will be diverted to support higher education. While passing this agenda item via constitutional amendment seems a little extreme, I am in favor of the idea. Currently Maryland residents who wish to gamble this way are forced to travel to other nearby states to do so, bringing their dollars with them. I'd like to see that money be kept in-state, especially when we can use the income to support things like higher education. We might even be able to attract residents from other states to spend their money here, especially at races like Preakness. The bottom line for me is that if people want to gamble, they will - if not here, then with our neighbor states. Instead of funneling that money to them, let's keep it here and use it for worthy causes.

The issue of lowering the drinking age has gotten a bit misinterpreted. What Brit Kirwan and others are supporting is honest, scientific discussion on drinking age limitations and their effectiveness at preventing alcohol-related problems in young adults. We all have our personal opinions on which way the law should go, but the truth is that the only way to settle the discussion is with research. Let's bring some science to this argument in the hope of moving forward in a knowledgeable manner.

It's going to be an exciting year - I'm looking forward to it!

Board of Regents endorses Slots

This past friday at the first full meeting Board of Regents for this academic year, other Regents and I voted to endorse the slots referendum to appear on the ballot in November. The USM Student Council also discussed the issue at length at its meeting yesterday. I voted to endorse the plan becuase I believe that potential societal costs are outweighed by the benefit for higher education. The revenues from slots, which I presume will amount to about $400 million a year, will be dedicated to a fund for education. Up to $150 million of this fund can be dedicated to higher education capital projects each year.

In light of these developments, I have pulled together some resources for you that will be useful in considering the issue:

Non-Technical Bill Summary
Copy of Legislation passed by Maryland General Assembly (description of locations included)
Ballot Language

(Chapter 5, Acts of 2007 Special Session)

Authorizing Video Lottery Terminals (Slot Machines) to Fund Education

Authorizes the State to issue up to five video lottery licenses for the purpose of raising revenue for education of children in public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12, public school construction and improvements, and construction of capital projects at community colleges and higher education institutions. No more than a total number of 15,000 video lottery terminals may be authorized in the State, and only one license may be issued for each specified location in Anne Arundel, Cecil, Worcester, and Allegany Counties, and Baltimore City. Any additional forms or expansion of commercial gaming in Maryland is prohibited, unless approved by a voter referendum.

(Enacts new Article XIX of the Maryland Constitution)

• For the Constitutional Amendment
• Against the Constitutional Amendment

Also, here are some other links that might be useful for you:
Marylanders United to Stop Slots
For Maryland- Pro Slots Advocacy Group
Sun Article on BOR Endorsement of Slots


What are you thoughts on slots in Maryland? Do you think the benefits for higher education make the proposal worthwhile?

Report to the USM Student Council

The USM Student Council is set to meet Sunday September 7 at USM Headquarters. The meeting agenda includes:
- elections of 2008-2009 officers
- a legislative update from Andy Clark
- a presentation from Rachel Fauber of the Maryland Student Climate Coalition
- discussion of the Amethyst Initiative
- discussion of the Slots Referendum
- role of the USM Student Council

As the student regent, I provide a written report each month. Please review and your convenience and contact me with any questions you may have.