Ohio politics

Voters back ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation

By William Hershey | Friday, July 3, 2009, 04:17 PM

By a large margin, Ohio voters backed a proposed state law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.

In the Quinnipiac University Poll released on Friday, July 3, voters supported the ban 57-35 percent.

They opposed same-sex marriage 60-33 percent but were in a virtual tie on same-sex civil unions, 46 percent for and 47 percent against.

The poll was taken from July 26 through Wednesday, July 1, with 1,259 voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

Permalink | Comments (30) | Post your comment

Poll: Voters support slots at tracks but want vote

By William Hershey | Friday, July 3, 2009, 08:37 AM

Ohio voters overwhelming support putting video slot machines at Ohio racetracks but they want to have the final say on the issue, not the state legislature.

Those are results from a new Quinnipiac University Poll released on Friday, July 3, and they come as the debate over video slots continues to block agreement on a new state budget.

The poll found voters support putting slots at the tracks 65-31 percent. However, they said even louder, 84-13 percent, that they should decide the issue in a referendum and not leave it to the legislature.

Gov. Ted Strickland wants the legislature to authorize putting slots at the tracks without a vote of the people. Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, says voters should decide but that Strickland can do it on his own if he wants by expanding the Ohio Lottery. Voters four times since 1990 have rejected expanded gambling proposals.

The poll also found that voters support a proposed ballot issue to allow casinos in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and Columbus. Also, voters by a 60-36 percent spread; support legalized gambling in general.

The poll was taken from July 26 through Wednesday, July 1, with 1,259 voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment

Strickland approval drops sharply in new poll.

By William Hershey | Friday, July 3, 2009, 07:54 AM

Gov. Ted Strickland looks politically vulnerable in a new Quinnipiac University poll released on Friday, July 3.

Gov. Ted Strickland

The poll showed that 46 percent of Ohio voters approved Strickland’s performance while 42 percent disapproved, down from 57-29 percent margin in a May 6 survey. This was the Democratic governor’s lowest approval rating since a 45-12 percent score on Feb. 1, 2007, just a month after he took office.

Voters disapproved Strickland’s handling of the state budget, 53-32 percent about the same as the 53-33 percent disapproval they gave him for handling the economy. Also, by a 40-34 percent margin they said Strickland had not kept his campaign promises.

The poll showed that former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, the Cedarville Republican, running neck-and-neck with Strickland in the 2010 governor’s race, with DeWine at 40 percent and Strickland at 41 percent.

DeWine, however, is expected to run for attorney general. Former U.S. Rep. John Kasich of suburban Columbus, the likely GOP candidate for governor next year, trails Strickland 43-38 percent, compared to 51-32 percent on May 6.

In GOP primary matchup, Kasich leads DeWine, 35-32 percent, a virtual tie but better for Kasich than the 35-23 percent lead DeWine had on May 6.

Continue reading "Strickland approval drops sharply in new poll."...

Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment

Strickland won’t do slots without lawmaker OK

By Laura Bischoff | Thursday, July 2, 2009, 02:50 PM

Gov. Ted Strickland on Thursday July 2 urged lawmakers to negotiate throughout the holiday weekend until a budget deal is struck.

He also said he cannot legally put video lottery terminals at Ohio’s racetracks without a law change. Last month, Strickland proposed adding video slot machines at the seven horse tracks as a way to generate $933 million over two years for the state budget but Senate Republicans are balking.

Strickland had said that he opposed expanding gambling, particularly since Ohio voters have said No to four gambling proposals since 1990. But he switched course to help bail out the budget even though it may be used against him later.

“I own the VLT issue. Some people say I’m looking for cover. Let me say to you as clearly as I can say it: I own that issue,” Strickland said. “And I realize that it is very likely to be an accusation in some future political campaign.”

The governor declined to answer whether he’d pick tax hikes or more budget cuts to balance the budget if the slot machine proposal doesn’t pass.

Ohio is facing a $3.2 billion budget gap for the upcoming two-year operating budget. Strickland noted that Ohio isn’t as bad off as some states that failed to pass new budget plans and discontinued negotiations.

Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment

Chris Celeste backs Brunner over Fisher for U.S. Senate

By William Hershey | Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 04:52 PM

Christopher Celeste, son of former Ohio Gov. Dick Celeste, is backing Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner over Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination in 2010.

Celeste had considered entering the Senate race himself but in a statement released on Wednesday, July 1, said he “ultimately decided entering this particular race, at this particular time, would not be in my party’s, or my, best interest.”

He said both Fisher and Brunner were “formidable politicians.”

“….I have decided to support, invest in and personally work of behalf of Jennifer Brunner….,” he said.

“Jennifer’s public leadership demonstrates an impressive mix of creativity, collaboration and courage.”

Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment

Portman expected to raise more than $1.5 million

By Jessica Wehrman | Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 02:54 PM

Tuesday was the deadline for quarterly filing for the candidates for U.S. Senate, and while Democrats Jennifer Brunner and Lee Fisher aren’t revealing what they’ve raised - some of the checks are still coming in - Republican Rob Portman expects to raise more than $1.5 million, according to sources close to the campaign.

Portman raised $1.7 million last quarter, and the source said he would not be surprised if Portman, a former Cincinnati-area congressman and budget director for the Bush administration, raised that much again.

Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment

House to hear from budget cut casualties

By William Hershey | Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 02:36 PM

With no end in sight to Ohio’s budget crisis, the House Finance Committee on Thursday, July 2, will begin hearings on what harm an additional $933 million in budget cuts would do to Ohio’s needy.

House Speaker Armond Budish, D-Beachwood, said the hearings are needed because the Republican-controlled Senate apparently is unwilling to authorize video slots at Ohio racetracks to raise the $933 million.

Budish said the committee wants to hear from “real people” about the pain more cuts would cause. Finance Committee Chairman Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, said the hearings will focus on “people who need food, people who need housing.”

The House hearings will start just as a new five-member Senate panel begins its hearings on Strickland’s slots proposal. Sen. Mark Wagoner, R-Toledo, said the hearings will explore legal issues surrounding the slots plan and revenue estimates.

“I think Ohioans are tired of legislation by crisis,” said Wagoner, who will chair the hearings.

Also Wednesday, the House voted 84-11 for a second seven-day budget lasting from July 8-14. The current seven-day budget started Wednesday.

Talks on a permanent two-year budget have broken down over the slots’ proposal. Strickland says he needs legislative authority to proceed. Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, says Strickland already has the authority to expand the Ohio Lottery to include the slots.

Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment