The Maryland Republican party says the state government doesn't have revenue problem, rather, it has a spending problem.

"The advertising from advocates of the slots constitutional amendment claims that the only solution to the projected deficit is to raise taxes or pass the referendum, I want to make it perfectly clear that the MDGOP is firmly opposed to raising taxes," said MDGOP chair Jim Pelura in a statement.

Pelura suggested that with a careful evaluation, spending could be brought under control.

"Martin O'Malley continues to ask the citizens of Maryland to make sacrifices while never seriously cutting the fat from the state budget," added Pelura.

The Board of Revenue Estimates released a report last month that showed the state's general fund revenues at roughly $14 billion - $432 million less than original estimates.

Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Baltimore) said last month he would be asking state agencies to identify cuts of up to 5 percent in the current year's budget, which he will propose at the next Board of Public Works meeting in mid-October. In addition, O'Malley is pushing for the passage of November's slots referendum, which would allow up to 15,000 slot machine installations at five different locations across the state.

The Maryland Democratic Party declined comment.

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