Maryland: Tony O'donnell

House and Senate Republicans are opposing November's constitutional amendment that would authorize early voting in Maryland, claiming it's ripe for fraud, an unfunded mandate and unnecessary since the state already has an absentee ballot program.

But House and Senate Democrats are calling the argument ridiculous.

Voters will decide on November's ballot if the state constitution should be amended to authorize the General Assembly to allow qualified citizens to vote at polling places outside of their districts or up to two weeks before an election.

The House Republican caucus says it's against November's slots referendum, but that doesn't mean a "responsible" slots plan shouldn't be implemented.

"Maryland's fiscal problems are not the product of a lack of revenues, but an inherent lack of spending restraint among the majority of its state political leaders," said House Minority Leader Tony O'Donnell (R-Calvert County) in a statement.  

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- There is a handful of Republicans already eyeing the governor's seat in 2010 according to state House Minority Leader Tony O'Donnell.

"I know a few people who could do it and do it very well," O'Donnel told PolitickerMD.com at the Embassy Suites hotel in Minnesota's state capital.

O'Donnell wouldn't mention any names, but did say there were "a lot of good candidates who are looking at the race right now."