Slots backers in town
A broad-based group of supporters – led by State Rep. Bill Seitz, R-Green Township – was in town today to push for Issue 3, the ballot issue that would bring 31,500 slot machines to Ohio to help pay for college tuitions.
Seitz insisted Issue 3 was a good idea because Ohioans already are going to Indiana and West Virginia to gamble. That has resulted in an estimated $925 million per year leaving Ohio in the form of gambling, said Ellen van der Horst, head of the USA Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Issue 3, also called Earn to Learn, will allow slot machines in Cleveland and six Ohio horse racing tracks, including River Downs in Anderson Township and Lebanon Raceway in Warren County.
That, Seitz said, would bring $852 million per year in college scholarship money to Ohio students -- $64 million per year in Hamilton County and about $190 million per year in southwest Ohio.
Issue 3 would bring about $23 million annually to be split between Hamilton County and the city of Cincinnati. That is in addition to the approximately $100 million over 10 years from casino operators to provide Cincinnati and Hamilton County money for economic development and neighborhood development.
6 Comments:
at 1:28 PM, October 31, 2006 
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at 2:18 PM, October 31, 2006 
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at 8:37 AM, November 01, 2006 
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at 2:06 PM, November 01, 2006 
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at 4:15 PM, November 01, 2006 
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at 2:44 PM, November 06, 2006 
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Post a Comment*I sincerely hope no one is foolish enough to think that Issue 3 benefits anyone but the owners of the race tracks and gaming parlors. The sponsors of this issue are trying to take advantage of an ignorant public by calling it "Learn and Earn". Don't fall for their deceit and lies - vote No on Issue 3.
The language of this amendment clearly states that 30% of total revenues go solely to the scholarship program. Casino owners cannot be expected to take a deal that isn't profitable to them as well. Plus, 15% of the total revenues go to local goverments which can always use the money. This is a far better plan than raising taxes which are already high enough. Also, calling the public ignorant might not be the best way to win supporters to your side. Just a thought.
Anon 2:18 is the "ignorant" public.
Funny how liberals are all for legalizing prostitution, pornography and drugs until someone makes money from it. Whatever happened to "if it feels good, do it"? Should we ban alcohol too because some people get addicted and it hurts some families? The first person to jump on the ban alocohol and gambling bandwagon would actually earn my respect for at least being consistent. Oh wait that group already exists. I believe it includes Falwell and Dobson.
hebron27, your logic is just slightly off base. First, gambling is already legal and as Rep. Seitz mentioned, Ohioans are already spending an estimated $925 million per year gambling in neighboring states and funding their economies. Whether or not Issue 3 is successful, gambling will remain legal.
Learn & Earn is a way to channel money generated from limited slot gaming to address the fact that Ohio ranks 49th for college affordability. In addition, the profits will provide all 88 counties with yearly economic development grants, and money for gambling addiction services. Not to mention attracting businesses to the areas where gaming sites are built, which will in turn lead to new jobs as new restaurants, bars, and hotels are built to accommodate.
I work with the Learn & Earn campaign and urge everyone to take a look at the amendment and research the many benefits of Issue 3 instead of listening to opponents immediately discredit the idea.
On Issue 3 I would ask you to vote No. The misrepresentation by Issue 3 supporters is beyond the bounds of fairness to the public interest. Issue 3 provides too much money for the gambling industry at 55% of the revenues seemingly forever. The revenue pot for the gambling industry should be much smaller and the public share much greater. I would support a single, navigable gambling boat on the Ohio River at Cincinnati and one on the Cuyahoga River for Cleveland but adding a minimum of thirty-one thousand five hundred slot machines at race tracks is hardly in the public interest. Today the public opinion snapshot polls have the measure failing by 57%. "All the King's horses and all the King's men-can put this proposal back together again" and say it is being done in the name of funding education and economic development. We can do better. I urge every citizen to vote No on Issue 3.
Sincerely,
State Representative Tyrone K. Yates
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