lol let it go out of state and all the problems he has talked about still will happen.

Voinovich: Don't expand gambling

 

By Stephenie Steitzer

Post staff reporter

 

U.S. Sen. George Voinovich has launched a battle against a November ballot initiative to substantially expand gambling in Ohio.  Voinovich, a Cleveland Republican, is lobbying newspaper editorial boards across the state, as well as social service and religious organizations, to join an effort to defeat the proposed constitutional amendment.  He and other opponents are trying to raise $1 million to $1.5 million to run ads urging voters to reject the proposal.

 

Voinovich said he expects the Earn and Learn group, which is backing the expanded gambling effort, to pump as much as $6 million into ads in the weeks before the election.  Proponents of expanded gambling in the Buckeye State want to set up slot machine parlors at seven race tracks across the state, including River Downs in Anderson Township and Lebanon Raceway in Lebanon, and at two non-track locations in downtown Cleveland.

 

Thirty percent of the estimated $2.3 billion that would generate annually would go to college scholarships for Ohio high school graduates, according to Earn and Learn.

 

Full article at http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060815/NEWS01/608150377

Both stories from the 8/16/06 News Leader:

 

Gambling vote could put casino in village

Constitutional amendment would allow 3,500 slot machines at Northfield Park

by Eric Marotta

Editor

 

Northfield Village - If voters approve a state gambling initiative filed with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office last week, then Northfield Park plans to undertake a major expansion that would include a multi-story hotel and adjacent casino operation with 3,500 slot machines.  According to Thomas Aldrich, chief operating officer of the harness racing facility, Northfield Village’s share of the proceeds from the proposed hotel and casino could top $1.5 million per year within a couple of years of the expansion. That would nearly double the village’s budget, projected to be $1.7 million by the end of this year.

 

Mayor Victor Milani said while village officials have yet to discuss plans for any increased revenue, he believes the passage of the ballot issue could “change the look of Route 8 overnight.” (See story below).  On Aug. 1, the organization Ohio Earn and Learn submitted more than 624,000 signatures on petitions to have a constitutional amendment placed on the Nov. 7 ballot to expand gaming and establish a school scholarship fund. About 320,000 signatures were required.

 

Full article at http://www.the-news-leader.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/08162006/news/&file=_news1.txt&article=1&tD=08162006

 

---

Northfield could get $1.5 million yearly share of wagers

by Eric Marotta

Editor

 

Northfield Village - Northfield Mayor Victor Milani said he would be happy to see the state gambling measure pass this fall and estimates the village would see a budget increase of at least $2 million - the $1.5 million share of slot machine revenue and another $500,000 in increased tax revenue from the new employees.

 

The village presently collects around $100,000 per year in various fees and taxes from Northfield Park, according to Finance Director Robert Reidel.  Milani said he also anticipates property values along Route 8 adjacent to the track would increase to 40 percent overnight,” adding he has spoken with several property owners who are anticipating the vote, with plans to build a restaurant, strip mall and other retail business if business increases at Northfield Park.

 

Full article at http://www.the-news-leader.com/article.php?pathToFile=/archive/08162006/news/&file=_news2.txt&article=1&tD=08162006

 

^I agree..it's okay to have the lottery and casino nights at the church..but god forbid to open gambling elsewhere....let it go out of state...great idea!  (sarcasm)

The lottery is nothing more than a tax on the stupid. :]

From the 8/23/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Ballot issue to have gambling label

State board insists on clear language

By JIM PROVANCE

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - Slot machines may have taken a back seat to college scholarships in Ohio Learn and Earn's ads and in its sales pitch to petition signers, but gambling will be front and center when voters cast their ballots on Nov. 7.  The Ohio Ballot Board, in the process of framing the language of as many as five statewide ballot questions, insisted yesterday that how the money would be raised is more important than how it would be spent.

 

"At the heart, this is a gambling issue for the ballot," said Don McTigue, attorney for gambling opponents led by Auditor Betty Montgomery and Ohio Roundtable President David Zanotti.  "That's the reason that we're amending the constitution, because the constitution prohibits gambling," he said.

 

The first point that voters will note in the explanatory summary of the proposed constitutional amendment is the fact that a "yes" vote would permit up to 31,500 slot machines in the state at the seven existing racetracks and at two Cleveland locations.  Before scholarships are mentioned, voters will be told that Cuyahoga County voters could later approve "expanded gaming" at its four sites, and that casino owners and operators would keep 55 percent of the revenue.

 

Full article at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060823/NEWS09/608230457/-1/NEWS

 

Maybe backwardass pussy Ohio should bring back prohabition...that is another evil that us helpless citizens should be saved from...oh wait, the state makes WAY too much tax revenue off of that...

From the AP, 8/24/06:

 

Gambling issue petitions tainted

Counties find invalid names

BY JOE MILICIA | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

CLEVELAND - A large number of signatures on petitions to expand gambling in Ohio have been rejected in some counties, leading backers to worry whether the proposal will qualify for the November ballot.  Cuyahoga and Summit counties accepted only 40 percent of petitions for the initiative known as Learn and Earn. The invalidated ones include three signatures by deceased voters - one who died five years ago. The Summit County elections board has turned the petitions over to the county prosecutor for investigation.

 

Other Learn and Earn petitions filed in Summit County have signatures with similar handwriting listed in alphabetical order as if copied from a voter registration list, said Bryan Williams, elections director for Summit County, which includes Akron.  Hamilton County elections officials verified 47 percent of the signatures submitted, said John Williams, elections director. In Franklin County, which includes Columbus, the board verified 52 percent of the signatures submitted, said Peggy Howell, supervisor of petitions. The numbers are typical of a petition filing of this size, Williams said.

 

Full article at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060824/NEWS01/608240365/1056

 

Maybe backwardass pussy Ohio should bring back prohabition...that is another evil that us helpless citizens should be saved from...oh wait, the state makes WAY too much tax revenue off of that...

That's why drugs should be legalized. Less gangsters and more tax revenue. Works out great.

^ actually....I DO think weed should be legal

From the 8/31/06 Dispatch:

 

Backers of slots bet on late run

Supporters have 10 more days to get enough signatures

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Alan Johnson , James Nash and Mark Niquette

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Backers of a proposed constitutional amendment to permit slot-machine gambling in Ohio say it will qualify for the Nov. 7 ballot even though it fell short of the required signatures.  Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell’s office notified supporters of the Learn and Earn issue late yesterday that they lack 8,716 of the 322,899 signatures needed to earn space on the fall ballot.  Supporters have 10 days to submit additional names.

 

Learn and Earn spokeswoman Linda Siefkas said that won’t be a problem because the group expects to have at least 50,000 additional signatures.  Supporters continued to solicit signatures even after turning in a petition with 624,625 names on Aug. 1, nearly half of which, 310,442, have now been deemed invalid. 

 

Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/08/31/20060831-A1-00.html

 

From the 9/2/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Ohio slot-machine backers spend $1.7M on petitions

Bid for constitutional amendment would appear on November ballot

By JIM PROVANCE

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - Backers of a constitutional amendment to bring slot machines to Ohio spent more than $1.7 million just to gather enough signatures to put the issue to voters on Nov. 7.  That breaks down to about $2.75 for each of 624,625 signatures submitted, according to a report filed this week with the secretary of state's office.  Nearly half of those were rejected by county boards of elections as not being valid signatures of registered Ohio voters, prompting a new round of petition circulating to fill a shortfall of 8,716.

 

"They bought a lot of bad signatures," said Dave Zanotti, president of the Ohio Roundtable and co-chairman of the committee fighting the ballot issue. "There's no limit to what they're willing to spend."  The report notes that Ohio Learn and Earn, the committee behind the slots-for-scholarships proposal, received nearly $2.2 million from the Ohio Legacy Fund, which, as a nonprofit organization, is not required under law to disclose where it gets its money. Corporations are permitted to contribute to ballot issues.

 

Full article at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060902/NEWS09/609020411/-1/NEWS

 

From the AP, 9/6/06:

 

Gaming group tries again

By Meredith Heagney

Associated Press

 

COLUMBUS -- The campaign behind a proposal to expand gambling in Ohio made a second attempt Tuesday to submit enough signatures to get the initiative on the ballot, collecting thousands more names than needed.  The group, which is promoting a plan to put slot machines at Ohio's seven horse racetracks and two freestanding sites in downtown Cleveland, was given more time to collect signatures after coming up short about 8,700 valid names last week.

 

At least two counties rejected a large number of the first petitions, saying a few of them had signatures of deceased voters and others had signatures with similar handwriting listed in alphabetical order as if copied from a voter registration list.  The group, backed by a group of racetrack owners and casino developers, turned in about 44,000 additional signatures Tuesday, spokeswoman Robin Hepler said.

 

Full article at http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060906/NEWS01/609060350/1010/RSS01

 

From the 9/8/06 Dispatch:

 

LEARN AND EARN PROPOSAL

Slots no boost for Columbus, leaders say

Friday, September 08, 2006

James Nash

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

An influential group of Columbus area business leaders came out yesterday against a proposal for casino-style gambling in Ohio, saying the measure would benefit Cleveland at the capital city’s expense.  The Learn and Earn proposal would allow up to 31,500 slot machines in nine Ohio locations: two downtown Cleveland casinos and seven racetracks.  Two of the tracks are in Franklin County, but neither is in Columbus.

 

In taking its first-ever position on a statewide issue, the Columbus Partnership said Learn and Earn would push convention and tourist business to Cleveland and holds little benefit for central Ohio.  "There will be, at least in our view, a migration of money from tourism and entertainment away from Columbus and toward other parts of the state," said Robert H. Milbourne, president of the Partnership.  "It would put Columbus at an economic disadvantage."

 

The Greater Cleveland Partnership favors the gambling measure.  The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and Cincinnati Business Committee have not taken a position.  Business groups in all three cities, as well as many smaller Ohio municipalities, have been lobbied by pro-gambling forces as well as by opponents such as Sen. George V. Voinovich.

 

Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/09/08/20060908-B1-04.html

 

<b>Ghiz drops Learn and Earn lawsuit</b>

Cincinnati Business Courier - 10:39 AM EDT Monday

 

Cincinnati City Councilwoman Leslie Ghiz said Monday that she has dismissed her lawsuit against an organization that wants to bring slot machine gambling to Ohio.  Ohio Learn and Earn has collected enough signatures to put its initiative on the November ballot, but it has not yet been certified by Secretary of State Ken Blackwell.  If passed by voters, slot machines would be able to operate at seven Ohio racetracks, and at two casino sites in Cleveland.

 

Ghiz had filed suit in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas in July, claiming that the people gathering signatures for the petitions misrepresented their purpose by failing to say that the issue is for the legalization of slot machine gambling in the state.  She had also criticized Learn and Earn because a casino site for Cincinnati had been dropped from the issue. Ghiz and other City Council members had supported a casino at the Broadway Commons site downtown.

 

Full article at http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/09/11/daily4.html?jst=b_ln_hl

<i>You don't mess with the feisty Ghiz. Anyone else notice a Learn & Earn name has joined this forum?</i>

 

<b>Ghiz: No slots ... just a jackpot</b>

By Joe Wessels

Post contributor

 

Cincinnati appears to have won the jackpot without getting a casino in downtown.  Council Member Leslie Ghiz has abandoned the lawsuit she filed in July against the Ohio Earn and Learn Committee - a political action committee working to get legalized casino-style gambling in Ohio and specifically preventing Cincinnati from having slots. A promise of money for the city prompted Ghiz to withdraw her complaint.

 

A pending settlement between Ghiz and Earn and Learn would send the city an undisclosed amount of cash every year for 10 years, paid for by Ohio Earn and Learn Committee or its backers. Ghiz will not discuss how much money would be directed to the city, but she called it "substantial."

 

The deal would be dependent on Earn and Learn getting on this fall's ballot a constitutional amendment to expand gambling, and on voters passing it. Earn and Learn would like to change the state constitution to allow for slot machine casinos at the state's seven horse tracks - including River Downs - and two, free-standing facilities in Cleveland.

 

Full article at http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060912/NEWS01/609120347

 

 

WTF. This whole idea is stupid. So they're going to use future profits from gambling to pay off all the cities they stuck it to when they made it so only Cleveland can get casinos? So what do the PEOPLE get out of this bullshit?

 

This pisses me off. I'm voting against it. I don't want Cleveland turning into Detroit. We are getting close to getting it right. We don't need these enclosed mini-cities.

Anyone else notice a Learn & Earn name has joined this forum?

 

What is this supposed to mean?!?!

Anyone else notice a Learn & Earn name has joined this forum?

 

What is this supposed to mean?!?!

 

It looks like a person from the Learn and Earn committee has joined this forum and I find that interesting. Nothing more.

 

Pro-slots group offering Cincinnati more money

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

September 14, 2006

 

CINCINNATI - Proponents of slot machines for Ohio are offering to sweeten the pot for the Cincinnati area in return for the support of key business leaders.  Charlie Ruma, a Columbus-area racetrack owner who chairs the Ohio Learn and Earn Committee, said the group has proposed setting aside a part of the proceeds for a charitable foundation that would benefit economic development and other needs in Ohio.  He said Wednesday that the group has made the offer during negotiations with the Cincinnati Business Committee for its backing in the city that got left out as a potential slots site.

 

No final figures have been agreed to, but Ruma said the foundation could send as much as $25 million annually to the Cincinnati area.  That's in addition to the nearly $23 million that Learn and Earn already estimates Cincinnati and Hamilton County will reap for development and other public uses if the statewide issue is passed Nov. 7.  The issue also pledges to provide college funds for students statewide.  James Orr, who chairs the Cincinnati Business Committee and is chief executive of Convergys Corp., was out of the country Wednesday and unavailable for comment.

 

Full article at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060914/NEWS01/609140374/1056

Jackson will take a gamble on slots

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Tom Breckenridge

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson is ready to gamble.  Jackson on Wednesday announced he will support a November ballot proposal that would bring two slot machine parlors to the core of his struggling city.  Jackson said the prospect of 5,300 jobs and $75 million yearly in economic development money for the city and county are worth risking his political capital.

 

Jackson was joined by City Council President Martin Sweeney, Cuyahoga County commissioners and business and labor leaders in extolling the positives of Learn and Earn.  The group hammered out the proposal this spring with the state's seven horse track owners, Forest City Enterprises Inc. and investor Jeff Jacobs.  The Learn and Earn issue would amend the Ohio Constitution to allow 31,000 slot machines at nine sites, including Forest City's Tower City complex and Jacobs' Nautica Entertainment Complex.

 

Full article at http://www.cleveland.com/casino/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1158223154298810.xml&coll=2

If this passes, when will these "parlors" open or start construction?

I'm sure parlors will open up immediately in temparary locations until construction would be complete. 

"Language that guarantees Learn and Earn funds will not be offset by cuts in state funding.  That's what happened to casino receipts in Detroit, Jackson said. The city is "worse off" despite three casinos, the mayor said."

 

I'm not opposed to casinos/gambling (though I don't partake other than a dollar once a week on a lottery ticket), but my biggest concern is that the legislation is worded to prevent what happened in Detroit.

 

I got a pocket full of quarters just waiting to.....oh wait.....that isn't a roll of quarters...

From Copley Newspapers, 9/14/06:

 

Democrats kill bill to limit tribal casinos

Thursday, September 14, 2006

By Paul M. Krawzak

Copley WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT

 

WASHINGTON A majority of House Democrats on Wednesday defeated a bill that would have barred Indian tribes from opening casinos outside their home states — including the Eastern Shawnee who are seeking to establish a casino in Canal Fulton.  The failure of the bill hurts the chances that any legislation will pass this year to limit what critics call reservation shopping.

 

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., was considered the more likely of two related bills to pass before the session ends.  A similar Senate bill, sponsored by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has been blocked, at least temporarily, by several senators — including Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio — who have clamped holds on it.  Backers of the McCain bill were hoping the Pombo measure would pass to give their legislation some momentum.

 

One of the provisions of the Pombo bill — prohibiting tribes from opening casinos outside their home states — ostensibly would prevent the Oklahoma-based Shawnee from starting a casino in Canal Fulton or elsewhere in Ohio.

 

Full article at www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=307808

 

---

From the 9/14/06 Dispatch:

 

Experience Columbus joins anti-slot forces

Thursday, September 14, 2006

 

Columbus business leaders are continuing to declare their opposition to a measure that would allow slot machines in nine Ohio locations, including two in downtown Cleveland.  Experience Columbus, the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, yesterday joined the Columbus Partnership in opposing the Ohio Learn and Earn proposal slated for the November ballot.

 

A committee of the Columbus Chamber yesterday heard arguments for and against the slots measure, but the group has not taken a stand.  Paul D. Astleford, president of Experience Columbus, said Learn and Earn would benefit Cleveland to the detriment of Columbus by drawing tourists to the northeastern Ohio city and providing it with funds to upgrade its outdated convention center.

 

Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/news/news.php?story=dispatch/2006/09/14/20060914-B5-03.html

 

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer

 

Gambling issue set for ballot

 

A proposal to bring 31,500 electronic slot machines to Ohio has been certified for the Nov. 7 ballot.  The Ohio secretary of state's office confirmed late Monday that the Ohio Learn and Earn Committee raised three times the 8,700 valid signatures it needed to gain the November ballot. It's known as Issue 3. 

 

Voters will be asked to change the Ohio Constitution to allow slots machines at Ohio's seven racetracks and two sites in downtown Cleveland. Learn and Earn estimates the slots would raise $2.84 billion yearly. Thirty percent - some $853 million - will be set aside for college tuition grants, and 8 percent - about $227 million - will funneled to economic development in the state each year, estimates show.

 

More at http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer 

Does anyone think that this thing could pass?  Ohio has always killed the gambling issues in prior years.

i can only imagine the increased number of panhandlers looking for money in downtown cleveland. 

 

i'm in favor of gambling in ohio, but not as issue 3 is currently framed.  it also shouldn't be a constitutional amendment.  how many other amendments list specific addresses where activities can occur?  i think this sets a bad precedent for our state constitution.

 

an interesting analysis of economic impacts:

http://www.i-open.org/cleveland2/2006/09/measuring-social-costs-of-cleveland.html

I'm not crazy about the way it is presented. Just like the state lottery, they try to sell you on education. I have a feeling that people won't vote for it just on that fact, because the state of education funding in Ohio hasn't been as successful as promised with the lottery, in fact, it is arguably worse.

 

But, even without the education strings, I wouldn't vote for it, it is the second step in getting casinos in this state, something I hope to never see.

Does anyone think that this thing could pass?  Ohio has always killed the gambling issues in prior years.

Wimwar, the only thing that I think of is that since 1996, several cities have passed casino gaming issues.  People from the region have catered to those casinos since then.  No longer is it Vegas and Atlantic City (Sin Cities) that casinos thrive in rather they are many midwest towns.  That said, I think a more positive light has been shed on the whole casino topic and more people in Cleveland have been exposed to them since 1996.  More people have enjoyed the vibe and atmosphere that surround them.

After weighing all the plusses and minuses, I'm for the casinos. Its not like I love the gd things, but overall I see a benefit. I'll be voting for them.

^I think thats where I am also wimwar.  I probably would go at most once or twice in that I would rather save the money for my kids rather than dump it into a slot.  But there are economic gains possible.  Also, I think someone might walk away from an overnight business trip to Cleveland with a sense that they just had some fun at the casino and enjoyed the nightlife around it.  I don't know, maybe I am just speculating.

I never even consider going. I am interested in the economic development possibilities. 

A hell YES here too. Gambling is a personal choice liking drinking, smoking, guns and drugs. People get all hot'n bothered if anyone thinks about limiting these choices, why is gambling held to a different standard? Jobs will be created, taxes collected, and fun will be had. It's another way of spending your entertainment dollars.

 

Besides I like the idea of paving DT city streets with gold at the expense of the poor people. ;-)

Can I get a Hell ya!?  I am for it....like it has been stated, to go is a personal choice...I may or may not go...but I DO hate to see that money sent out of state.  As far as safety, do you NOT think security around the area would be stepped up?  I think it would be even safer near the casino areas.

slot machines only at race tracks? and two sites in clev? whaaat? if thats all it is then this one is going down hard.

 

not that i can vote, but i would be for a few targeted full casinos -- under one condition: as long as ohio lottery or some new ohio commission owns and runs them. no way should trump, etc be allowed in on it. build a few super nice grand casinos around the state, that would be classy, give conventioneers something to do & help keep ohio gambling $$$ in-state. i don't even gamble, but maybe its time to face reality -- ohio is surrounded by gambling states, so if its ever going to be done why not do it right.

 

 

 

 

One reason I think it WON'T pass is because of the cities that AREN'T getting the slot right away.  Columbus and Cincinnati I would almost bet my life on it, will vote it down because they aren't slated for free standing slot parlors.  I think no matter what city gets them now, it should pass.  If you are willing to vote yes for it if it WAS in your city, then why not still vote yes on it even if your city isn't getting it?  I think down the road, once the door is opened, other cities will get them too.  Unfortunately, it seems that the attitude is..."If I don't get mine NOW...then nobody should"....too bad for Ohio.....

It's too bad that bible belters, or people with sour grapes get to decided what is best for my part of the state.  I wish it could be voted on in a more regional basis.

^ I am voting no because the other areas in the state are not elligible to take part. I dont live in Cleveland and I wont go gamble in Cleveland if they get slots.  I think Cleveland is a fine city, and I used to live there but, now that I do not have a vested interest in the city, why should I support it at the expense of my own city.

 

If Cinci or columbus had the same opportunity as Cleveland than I would happily support Isssue 3. Unfortunately, this is another example of the backers failing to use common sense in putting forth a reasonable proposal.

 

Secondly, for those who think this will lead to many new college opportunities for students in Ohio, you were not around when they were marketing the lottery in the 1970's. The same promises were made and guarantees were given but it only led to the state diverting money it would have otherwise given to education to be used for other areas of the budget since the lottery was funding the schools. Nothing wrong with an increased source of revenue for the state, but those who think it is going to go for education only are fooling themselves.

NO NO NO!!

Cincinnati already has slots... it's called Lawrenceburg... if we had mass transit, a train ride from downtown would be closer to Lawrenceburg then Kings Island/ATP Tennis Center, Jungle Jims or Riverbend.

 

And sadly Cincinnatians are a creature of location. People from the north shop Tri-County... the east, Eastgate/Beechemont... etc etc... one rarely goes out of their region for anything... but...

 

Lawrenceville has the mythical attraction of being "out of town"... it's a destination for locals, unlike a Bengals/Reds game which is in the city proper. How many gambling spots are not local destinations besides Vegas and AC...

 

What Cincy really needs to deal with is that they are a region... not a city. It's a gem that 1 out of 20 locals truely understand... and Lawrenceburg and southeast Indiana is part of Cincinnatis charm as much as Northern Kentucky...

Actually, according a newspaper report I read recently, the people behind these casinos promised to give kickbacks to Cincy to get the bigwigs to go along and support this.

 

EVerytime I've been to a casino outside of Las Vegas, it's always been a big pit -- Michigan, Canada. Yech.

If you're asking if I'm for slots, then yes.

 

Am I for Issue 3?  No.

 

One reason I think it WON'T pass is because of the cities that AREN'T getting the slot right away.  Columbus and Cincinnati I would almost bet my life on it, will vote it down because they aren't slated for free standing slot parlors.  I think no matter what city gets them now, it should pass.  If you are willing to vote yes for it if it WAS in your city, then why not still vote yes on it even if your city isn't getting it?  I think down the road, once the door is opened, other cities will get them too.  Unfortunately, it seems that the attitude is..."If I don't get mine NOW...then nobody should"....too bad for Ohio.....

It's too bad that bible belters, or people with sour grapes get to decided what is best for my part of the state.  I wish it could be voted on in a more regional basis.

 

Again, there is no provision for future gambling anywhere outside of the Cleveland area in this ballot issue.

 

 

I am voting for it. I don't think everyone in Columbus or other cities will vote against it just because it is in Cleveland. I was in the barbershop yesterday (In Columbus) and a few guys said they hope it does pass so they can do something else on the weekends besides going to the club.

Issue 3 is far from perfect and the way they are advertising it is kinda of shady, but Ohio is surrounded with casinos of various forms and it's about time local governments reap the tax benefits. DT Cincy and Hamilton County could receive nearly $50 million a year. That's too much to pass up.

 

Regarding polls on this forum in general . . . is there a way to force people to vote? (Yeah, I know democracy) With nearly a 1,000 people on the list most people don't vote. Maybe when a person first access the forum a poll is presented to them?

Even though there may not be a provision for gambling in other cities than the ones that are stated NOW....who is to say that things down the road couldn't change?  THAT is the point...why not open the door now so others can pass later.  Does it REALLY make sense to pout and close the door to everyone?

^ but then i think it should be structured differently.  as it stands now, to "expand" gambling to other cities would require another constitutional amedment.

 

http://www.ohiolearnandearn.com/learnandearn_amendment.pdf

 

(page 5 has the full text)

 

it just doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the state constitution.(it would go in article XV, Misc., right after the gay marriage amendment.

 

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/constitution.pdf

 

I would prefer something that said "Upon popular vote of X% of city/county population, a city/county may offer X type of gambling subject to the following ... X% goes to scholorships, X..."

 

 

I want to know why only 4.5% of all winnings of the Ohio lottery goes to education, where the hell does the rest go!? Certainly not mass transit.  :x

^ but then i think it should be structured differently.  as it stands now, to "expand" gambling to other cities would require another constitutional amedment.

 

http://www.ohiolearnandearn.com/learnandearn_amendment.pdf

 

(page 5 has the full text)

 

it just doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the state constitution.(it would go in article XV, Misc., right after the gay marriage amendment.

 

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/constitution.pdf

 

I would prefer something that said "Upon popular vote of X% of city/county population, a city/county may offer X type of gambling subject to the following ... X% goes to scholorships, X..."

 

Well stated.  That is much different than the "vote for it and hope" attitude.

 

From the 9/21/06 DDN:

 

Two sides dispute effects of slots bid

Now that issue is on the ballot, the focus will be on the campaigns for and against its passage.

By Samantha Sommer

Staff Writer

Thursday, September 21, 2006

 

COLUMBUS — One day after the slot machine issue officially made the Nov. 7 ballot, those for and against it argued over what the constitutional amendment will do.  Gov. Taft also stepped into another debate on Wednesday, endorsing one of the two smoking bans on the ballot and denouncing the other. 

 

Learn and Earn wants to put slots in seven race tracks and two locations in Cleveland.  It claims slots could generate more than $2.8 billion annually, with more than $852 million for college tuition grants and another $227 million to economic development.

 

The opposition, Vote No Casinos, disputed much of Learn and Earn's information, from when the grants would be available to how many addicted gamblers would be created to who qualifies for the tuition aid. 

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/09/20/ddn092106issues.html

 

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From the 9/21/06 Dispatch:

 

Regents mum on slots issue

State board urged to oppose Learn and Earn

Thursday, September 21, 2006

James Nash

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Hoping to puncture the strongest argument for legalized slot machines in Ohio, anti-gambling politicians are leaning on the state Board of Regents to oppose a ballot measure that would fund scholarships with gambling proceeds.  Sen. George V. Voinovich and Gov. Bob Taft are asking the regents to look into the Learn and Earn campaign’s assertion that its November ballot measure would generate $853 million a year for college scholarships.  Voinovich and Taft are attempting to undercut the gambling measure’s central appeal: that it would make college affordable for thousands of high-school graduates who otherwise could not attend.

 

The regents, who would be responsible for administering the scholarship program, have remained silent on Learn and Earn. It qualified for the Nov. 7 ballot this week, and supporters may spend as much as $20 million promoting it.  The measure would allow 31,500 slot machines at seven horse-racing tracks and two downtown Cleveland casinos.  Supporters say it would net $2.8 billion a year, of which $853 million would be earmarked for scholarships.

 

Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/09/21/20060921-D1-02.html

 

Here's a pretty good article in the PD. I'll just link it because it's really long: http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/115908734879310.xml&coll=2

 

It's making me a little uncomfortable about how all the big additions to Cleveland that we want are being tied to casinos. My biggest fear about the casinos in Cleveland is that it's going to tacky up the city, maybe attract crime and generally do nothing to help us improve the actual economy.