Senate amends

ANNAPOLIS — The Senate yesterday removed specific sites from the Ehrlich administration’s slot-machine gambling legislation to entice support in the House, where the bill has died in committee for the last two years.

Under the Senate’s alteration, the bill still calls for slot machines to be placed at four horse-racing tracks and three off-track sites. But the exact locations would be determined by a commission appointed by the governor and legislative leaders.

In addition, the Senate reduced the amount of profits that would be kept by owners of slots facilities from 39 percent to 36 percent, thereby increasing the state’s share of gambling revenue. The new plan also would require that $150 million from slots revenue be spent on public school construction each year for eight years.

The Ehrlich administration seemed amenable to the changes, with communications director Paul E. Shurick saying, “Any time the Senate is moving forward is a good thing.”

But Mr. Shurick added that Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., a Republican, has not changed his mind about certain locations being off-limits to slots.

“The governor has made it crystal clear that Ocean Downs and Timonium are deal breakers,” he said.

The Washington Times reported last week that Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., Prince George’s Democrat, said he had been negotiating with the administration to take the sites out of the plan.

The Times also reported that lawmakers have persuaded House Speaker Michael E. Busch to allow a full House vote on the slot-machine legislation he has helped defeat for two consecutive years.

Sen. Edward J. Kasemeyer, Baltimore Democrat and floor manager of the slots bill, yesterday said the changes are aimed at attracting support among House members.

Today, the slots bill will be up for further debate in the Senate, and the House Ways and Means Committee, which previously has killed the legislation, will hold a hearing on it.

Mr. Busch, Anne Arundel Democrat, was adamant in his opposition to the bill yesterday.

“I personally am not supporting slots,” he said.

Meanwhile, a House delegate is seeking to repeal a 17-year-old tax subsidy for coal companies.

“This program is a perfect example of corporate welfare, and of the rule that few things have the life span of a government program,” said Delegate Herbert H. McMillan, Anne Arundel Republican. “It’s time for the Maryland coal industry to succeed or fail on its own.”

Ending the coal subsidy would provide an additional $14.7 million for Program Open Space, which aims to preserve open, undeveloped areas, Mr. McMillan said.

The subsidy was implemented in 1988 and renewed in 1991 to stimulate coal use.

Mr. McMillan’s bill has eight co-sponsors and has been sent to the House Ways and Means Committee.

• This article is based in part on wire service reports.