The House Republican Caucus unveiled an alternative budget proposal last week that members said would erase Maryland's $1.5 billion deficit with modest spending growth and no tax increases.

The plan - in the works since May - would fill the fiscal hole by capping budget growth at 3.5 percent and relying on slot machines for revenue from an up-front auction and their eventual use.

Although the Republicans provided no specific details about the 50 individual line items that would receive less money, they said they were confident that Maryland residents would rather have spending reductions than higher taxes.

"The work...