BALTIMORE (Oct. 4, 2012) – Today Bob King, International President of the United Auto Workers (UAW), joined labor leaders from across Maryland and dozens of workers in support of Question 7, a ballot initiative that would mean thousands of jobs for the region and hundreds of millions of dollars for Maryland schools. The announcement is the latest in a large andgrowing coalition of labor, business and community leaders who are urging Maryland residents to vote yes on Question 7.

King discussed the UAW’s experience with casinos in Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey and Connecticut.

“These workers are earning a middle-class standard of living.” King noted that when more working families are earning good wages, they will have more disposable income, and that “helps everybody in the community.”

“Every small business in Maryland should be in favor of Question 7,” he said.

The development of a new resort casino in Maryland proposed in Question 7 would create 2,000 new construction jobs, 4,000 permanent jobs at the new resort casino, 4,400 additional permanent jobs associated with the development, and 1,600 new jobs from the introduction of table games at allMaryland casinos.  Passage of Question 7 would mea

n the creation of 500 jobs in Baltimore alone.

Marietta English, President of the Baltimore Teachers Union, warned Maryland voters against believing the millions of dollars in deceptive advertising coming from the opposition to Question 7.

“I am here to reiterate our support for Question 7,” said English. “The fact is we will the watchdog. We will make sure the funding goes into education. We know our students deserve it.”

Since its creation, the Education Trust Fund has already taken in $189.3 Million from gaming in Maryland. Through the addition of a new resort casino in Prince George’s County and adding table games like blackjack and poker to existing Maryland casinos, Question 7 would significantly increase the amount of money coming into the Education Trust Fund to help Maryland schools and Maryland children.

Fred Mason, President of Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO, added, “Question 7 will create 12,000 jobs in Maryland, and nothing else on the table does that. In a tough economy, Maryland could use 12,000 new jobs.”

Rod Easter, President of the Baltimore Building & ConstructionTrades Council, said, “Question 7 is something that Maryland needs. Don’t believe the hype against it. Question 7 is a vote for schools. It’s a vote to create jobs and preserve jobs.”