AUGUSTA (AP) – Gov. John Baldacci said Wednesday he will borrow ideas from at least three other states as he fashions a slot machine control package that would replace “the least regulated piece of gambling legislation in America.”

Flanked by legislative leaders from both major parties who pledged an accelerated review of the governor’s bill, Baldacci also reached out to the harness racing industry for its support of an initiative that is to go before lawmakers early in 2004.

“If we are to have legalized slot machine gambling in Maine, and the people have voted that we shall, then we as public officials must make sure that it is tightly controlled to avoid the negative influences of the industry,” Baldacci said.

The governor opposed an initiated referendum proposal approved by voters Nov. 4 to allow slot machines at Maine’s two commercial harness racing tracks, but said it is his responsibility now to make the law work.

Ticking off weaknesses and oversights he found in the voter-approved law, Baldacci listed components of his bill that will tighten regulation and law enforcement, set tougher rules for license eligibility and close a loophole that allows anyone with a harness racing license to get a slot machine license too.

The measure would also create a five-member Gambling Control Board to oversee slots, limit the number of machines allowed at tracks and ensure the state does not spend more regulating and policing slots than it gets back in slot revenues.

“If the initiated bill is allowed to stand, it will be the least regulated piece of gambling legislation in America – and it won’t even pay for the direct costs it will impose on Maine taxpayers,” Baldacci said.

Baldacci said the administration is studying laws in Delaware, Louisiana and New Jersey in drafting the bill he promised to submit on the first day the Legislature convenes for 2004, Jan. 7.

Legislative leaders attending the State House news conference pledged to cooperate with Baldacci, who says he wants to pass a bill before the citizen-initiated law takes effect 45 days after the Legislature convenes.

“I think we’re in lock step” on what needs to be done, said Sen. Kenneth Gagnon, D-Waterville, who co-chairs the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee that will review the bill.

“This is a bipartisan effort,” added House Speaker Patrick Colwell, D-Gardiner. The Senate’s top Republican, Minority Leader Paul Davis of Sangerville, was also present.

Absent were House Republican leaders, who issued a statement saying the Democratic governor’s proposal “attempts to subvert the will of the people” and that it “goes beyond regulating this industry.”

House Minority Leader Joe Bruno of Raymond said Republicans “look forward to supporting legislation that incorporates our concerns.”

Las Vegas developer Shawn Scott is seeking a license to run harness races at Bangor Historic Raceway, in which his company Capital Seven LLC owns 49 percent of the stock.

Hearings before the state Harness Racing Commission are to begin Monday.

Scott, who has broken ground on the slot machine facility at Bangor, financed the November referendum campaign to legalize slot machines.

In southern Maine, Westbrook and Saco have scheduled local referendums on whether to allow slot machines. Scarborough Downs is considering relocating because Scarborough voters decided not to allow a racino in their town.

Ed McColl, a lawyer for Scarborough Downs, said the track’s owners “look forward to working with the administration” on the new regulatory bill.

Christen Graham, spokeswoman for Capital Seven, said she could not comment before seeing the Baldacci’s legislation.

AP-ES-12-10-03 1551EST