Impasse ends, slots to begin

Foes say they'll sue to stop Gov. Ted Strickland's plan for racetrack slots. The state's 10-day state budget impasse is over.

[ohio citizen]

"We have reached a final agreement today on a budget that is not only balanced but invests in education without raising taxes on Ohioans," Gov. Ted Strickland said in a statement.

Which of you out there asked for an investment in education "with the state facing a $3.2 billion shortfall because of plunging tax revenue, expanding gambling will not blunt the impact of $2.4 billion in cuts that will hit food pantries, early learning programs for low-income youngsters, community health centers, libraries and eligibility for state-funded child care?"

The governor is completely lost within his dreams of expanding education while $2.4BN is cut, arguably (and quite easily I believe) in areas directly related to education and the basics of surviving.

If this is the best he/they can do, then we as Ohio citizens deserve our fate; it is the direct result of our voting these individuals into office.

Perhaps the slots are being slipped in there to numb our minds to the reality of "investment into education" as those cuts go "live".

We are circling the drain here in Ohio.

[Wacko]

Not slots equals loss of 15000 jobs
No Slots means another billion in cuts
No slots means loss of about 10000 temp jobs while building slots parlors

You do the math

slots =jobs

its the state that has failed us not competing with souronding states

[sherry kane]

People won't run to race tracks to gamble! the casinos around our state will still be the place to go!

[rocketraveller]

The Race Tracks are broke. Where are they getting the 15 million to put down? The Jacobs family in Cleveland is all smiles today.....

[Gordon Shumway]

sherry kane wrote:

People won't run to race tracks to gamble! the casinos around our state will still be the place to go!

I beg to differ. I have gone to the surrounding out of state slots (W. Va and Indiana) and the SOLE purpose of going there is to play the slots or Blackjack (yes, I know it's not being offered... at this time). People don't go just for the aesthetics, they go to gamble.

[MISS ROSIE]

Wow!
I live in West Virginia but do all my shopping,medical care,etc in Ohio and I would gladly have paid a temporary tax increase to help the State out of it's problems and the Governor would not have to worry about being sued by opponents.Too bad...soooooo sad !As always, the rich get richer and the poor..........well.....from this action....doesn't seem like ANYONE really cares.

[Army Parent]

Better late than never. the next logical step is to allow casinos at the race tracks. The tracks have a history of PAYING taxes, and creating jobs. The revenue would stay in state. Casinos at the tracks, it is the most ethical way to get the most gambling dollars for OHIO in the shortest time

[Joseph]

When these budget gaps occurred in other times in Ohio, eventually even Republican governors recognized a need for a tax increase. I didn't think Strickland was actually stupid enough to think that it would be a good idea to cut services during the worst recession in 70 years instead of simply restoring the income tax rates to their original levels in this decade.
But let's do this and see just how badly it goes.

[Ohio-Statehouse- SOLD]

Well I Hate to say this " Governor Strickland just took the Ohio State Constitution, and threw it in the Trash!" Along with support from many State Senators, and Representatives! How many of these elected leaders are going to admit the truth that they supported "Slot Machines" when it comes to Re-Election this Fall. Will the Voters/Ohioans be informed of who is/was in favor of these "Slot Machines"? Who was against them? We as Ohioans need to make these elected Officials Accountable! There should be a House Vote Recorded, and a Senate Vote Recorded! Why are our Elected Officials Pres. G.W. Bush who Trampled/Ignored/Broke Laws of "The Constitution of the United States of America" and now Governor Strickland does it to the Constitution of Ohio? You think maybe Iraq, Russia, Afghanistan, or any country might want to use them? America's Elected Officials sure are not! Hello ACLU here is a GOOD CASE FOR YOU! Hopefully Ohio's Supreme Court Members decide not to Ignore the Constitution of Ohio! Will See!

[Marilyn]

Knowing good people who travel out of Ohio to gambling casinos, giving their dollars to other states, it is about time Ohio woke up to this fact. Properly operated slot machines at racetracks and eventually, casinos, is a move in the ritght direction for Ohio. This will not solve all the Ohio financial woes. Start cutting wages/salaries at the top is part of the answer.

[Sonny]

I have read that David Zonnati will challange this in court. I believe he will lose (who's paying for it?) because slot machines have changed over the years. Altho they are slots, they are not for coins as they now have bill acceptors. One of the claims against slots is that they are not a ticket type lottery, but they are a ticket game called TITO (ticket in ticket out) and the determined outcome is activated at the point you hit the play button and then your outcome is locked in by the RNG (random number generator). They dont have springs like the old days. There are two racetracks within 35 mins from my home and my son needs a job really bad. He's been out of work for over a year and the first time since college 17 years ago. This could be a break for him and thousands of other Ohioans.

[Art]

These video lottery terminals are NOT slot machines and they do not compete with real class III Slot Machines. They will be determined by the computers of a Greek Company with offices in Georgia hardly a way to create jobs in Ohio. Slot machines are class III devices.

[Steve]

They SHOULD sue. Can Ted be impeached? FOUR separate times a MAJORITY of Ohio's voters have SOUNDLY rejected gambling in Ohio! Apparently Ted is asleep at the wheel! Time to get hom out of the driver's seat. Can you say "One Term"?

[Topper]

Sonny wrote:

I have read that David Zonnati will challange this in court. I believe he will lose (who's paying for it?) because slot machines have changed over the years. Altho they are slots, they are not for coins as they now have bill acceptors. One of the claims against slots is that they are not a ticket type lottery, but they are a ticket game called TITO (ticket in ticket out) and the determined outcome is activated at the point you hit the play button and then your outcome is locked in by the RNG (random number generator). They dont have springs like the old days. There are two racetracks within 35 mins from my home and my son needs a job really bad. He's been out of work for over a year and the first time since college 17 years ago. This could be a break for him and thousands of other Ohioans.

Are you ever in for a suprise!!!!!!
The very few "jobs" created will be on the same level, or just below, working at McDonalds, BurgerKing,Wal-Mart, etc.........

[CHUCKO]

the corruption is rampant. Un stoppable. Its futile to to try to stop them. Only the ACLU moving through the courts can have these treasonous people removed from office. If the ACLU wouldnt touch it, how come there isnt a citizens group that through donbations can weild legal might to get rid of these slimeballs in office. Theyre actions are a breach of trust.

[John]

Every State that has put slot's in have increased revenue's every year but one stae was slightly lower. You have saved 16,000 racing job's and created 3,500 to 10, 000 new job's. thank you to everyone who helped.

[jimmy agler]

ohio citizen wrote:

"We have reached a final agreement today on a budget that is not only balanced but invests in education without raising taxes on Ohioans," Gov. Ted Strickland said in a statement.
Which of you out there asked for an investment in education "with the state facing a $3.2 billion shortfall because of plunging tax revenue, expanding gambling will not blunt the impact of $2.4 billion in cuts that will hit food pantries, early learning programs for low-income youngsters, community health centers, libraries and eligibility for state-funded child care?"
The governor is completely lost within his dreams of expanding education while $2.4BN is cut, arguably (and quite easily I believe) in areas directly related to education and the basics of surviving.
If this is the best he/they can do, then we as Ohio citizens deserve our fate; it is the direct result of our voting these individuals into office.
Perhaps the slots are being slipped in there to numb our minds to the reality of "investment into education" as those cuts go "live".
We are circling the drain here in Ohio.

i agree that it is unfortubate that libraries and other vital social programs are cut but that was the only avenue left after everyone cried about a 1% sales tax increase,,,,seriously is anyone really ever going to say that " i would but that for 100 dollars but ifit costs 101 the deal is off?"

[Quit Whining]

Who cares if they are "slots" or video lottery terminals - people will come. If you visit the local casinos Wheeling Island, Bell Terra etc on any given night, you will see a large number of cars with Ohio tags. So, do you want that revenue staying in Ohio or helping our neighbor states?
As for creation of jobs, I love the unintelligent comments as to how few and what level jobs it will create. Any job at this point in our new Socialistic country is a good job.
The other option to help the state is to ask Obama for the money and well, he would probably give it to ohio. Don't worry about our kids, at this rate they are being born in debt.

[Parasite Government]

Slots is nothing more than exploiting the stupid to feed the welfare state.

Welcome to Amerika, comrade!

[Joyce]

After reading thru all this info I still have a question...... was this decision on the governors signature alone?