With regard to The Gazette’s recent coverage of the gaming issue in Maryland, it is important not to overlook the economic value of the proposed destination resort at National Harbor.

The plan offered by Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker would spur the creation of thousands of construction jobs in the short term, thousands of permanent jobs in the long term and tens of millions of dollars in economic activity for years to come. Building a world-class resort would be another step in the county executive’s efforts to revitalize the county’s economy and create a sustainable tax base to support the growing Prince George’s population.

An independent analysis estimates the proposal would generate an additional $223 million per year in tax revenue for our state to help maintain our national leadership in education, including more than $39 million per year to Prince George’s County.

With the expanded revenue, the work group convened by Gov. O’Malley to consider gaming expansion also has appropriately begun to re-evaluate tax rates on gaming to ensure that we establish a fair balance between the return to the state and to private businesses while fully protecting Maryland taxpayers.

The county executive has developed a strong plan, and the governor has worked to build consensus on the difficult issues. Marylanders deserve to have their say in the voting booth this fall in order to decide the issue democratically and help us make a clear and responsible plan for our state going forward.

Anthony G. Brown, Annapolis

The letter writer, a Democrat, is Maryland’s lieutenant governor.