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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2008 > January > 31 > Entry
Voinovich blasts Strickland lottery expansion plan
U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, a former governor, is leading the charge againt Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland’s plan to help close Ohio’s budget shortfall by expanding the state lottery.
Strickland said Thursday he hopes to raise $73 million by putting electronic versions of Keno and other games in bars and other locations. Keith Dailey, Strickland’s spokesman, said the governor doesn’t consider this an expansion of gambling but an expansion of the the state lottery, which has been approved by voters.
Voinovich, governor from1991-1998, disagreed, referring to rejections of casino gambling at the ballot box.
“The people have spoken and roundly defeated gambling in Ohio - with this governor’s help,” Voinovich said in a prepared statement.
“This is in no way an expansion of the lottery. From a public policy standpoint, I urge the legislature to reject this idea and do what I did when I was governor in this situation, which was to work harder and smarter and do more with less.
“This would be a foot in the door for full-blown gambling and, once that happens, Katie bar the door.”
Comments
By Kevin S.
February 2, 2008 1:27 AM | Link to this
Two things concern me about this proposal. First, Ted Strickland’s adopted an interesting definition of the word “lottery.” Second, while I don’t necessarily have a problem with these kinds of machines in bars, having them run by the state could be problematic. If we become dependent on unproductive activity like gambling to finance our state budget, there’s little incentive to help compulsive gamblers. After all, playing the slots becomes a patriotic way to support your fellow citizens.By Mariaaa!!!
January 31, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Thousands of people from BOTH parties have cried foul regarding state spending….over and over again! Politicians from BOTH parties have spent excessively and created the budget problem. There’s enough blame to go around for ALL politicians and their parties. And no one person or party is willing to effectively tackle the real problem. Spending. We’ve spent more money than we had and created a problem. The answer to that problem is the reverse of what got us there. Spend less. This gambling idea is just an excuse to bring full-fledged gambling to Ohio. Don’t be fooled. The gambling money won’t be used in the way the politicians imply that it will. We’ve been burned before with the Lottery/education ruse. Sure the money went to education but the state budgets allocation to education was reduced by a like amount. Didn’t help education at all. Education spending is now a shambles. The state gets Lottery (gambling) money now and we still have budget problems. The state must spend less tax money! Do those of you who want gambling actually like and appreciate the way your hard earned tax dollars that you don’t like to pay are spent (or wasted)? Whether you pay your money to the state through taxes or gambling the problem is still one of spending. Oh, I get it. You just want to HAVE FUN when you give your money to the state because you think you’ll get rich in the process. Well, good luck with that one. I’ll be saving my money. See ya’ at the bank!By truthhurts
January 31, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
Why is it that Republicans cry foul when Strickland is trying to fix the problem that he inherited? But, they never cry foul when the problems were created?By Mariaaa!!!
January 31, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
I agree with Voinovich 100%! Tricky Strickland’s trying to pull a fast one. Whether personally or through government, you can’t continue to spend more than you take in. If you spend, spend, spend, what do you expect to happen when finally the gambling money isn’t enough to pay the bills? Then what? What other irresponsible way will he come up with to balance the budget? Too many people demand services from government and then say “yeah baby, spend that pork on me, but don’t tax me to pay for it…I have no more money.” But magically they find the money to spend at casinos. I’m not sure I understand that backward mentality. Look where spending more than we have has gotten the U.S. economy right now. It’s my money too and I say eliminate waste and spend within our means! I don’t think we need any one arm bandits in the Ohio capitol building . We have enough with two arms in there already! No Gambling or Lottery expansion (or whatever Strickland want’s to call it)!By Rich
January 31, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
This proposal, if true as presented in the report, is to me the most disappointing proposal or action yet made by Gov. Strickland. While Voinovich’s criticisms are self-serving and highly political, he IS correct when pointing out that Ohio voters have spoken out repeatedly against expanded gambling in this state. However, with Ohio surrounded by other states which are busily expanding their own gambling operations, I fear Ohio will eventually cave in to this abomination. Even Kentucky’s new Democratic governor is trying to expand gambling there (it was an explicit part of his campaign!), and Northern Ky politicians are scrambling to get a casino on the Ohio River.By john null
January 31, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
I’m all for gambling in ohio. I would also like to see a bill along with this one that says you have to sign a paper before gambling in ohio that releases the state and all other parties from your problems with gambling(if you have one).By Ohiorocks
January 31, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
I know lots of people who take weekend trips out of state in order to go to casinos. They stay in hotels, and shop and eat there, as well. All those lost tax dollars that we could be keeping in our state. Sorry, but Strickland didn’t create the school funding problem, he inherited it. And the Republican majority legislature are the ones who block every attempt to fix the problem.By tom
January 31, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
george voinovich against gambling? he only dies it when he gets his money. he created and signed a bill for off track betting as governor. as a senator he has helped ohio lose jobs, businesses, and helped us to become one of the poorest states in the u.s. while he gets rich on his kickbacks. remember paul mifsud? he only says what he says as he is paid by indiana gambling companies. check it out.By tom
January 31, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
george voinovich against gambling? he only dies it when he gets his money. he created and signed a bill for off track betting as governor. as a senator he has helped ohio lose jobs, businesses, and helped us to become one of the poorest states in the u.s. while he gets rich on his kickbacks. remember paul mifsud? he only says what he says as he is paid by indiana gambling companies. check it out.By painfultruth
January 31, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
With Governor Strickland in Ohio and if Hillary Clinton becomes president, all Ohioans can look forward to the working class supporting the welfare class. The gambling issue will harm more poor people as they view gambling as their sole ticket out of poverty. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled a couple of years ago that the Ohio method of supporting schools was unconstitutional, yet nothing has changed. Why no cry about impeaching Strickland on this issue. Liberal Democrats don’t even rank as puppets; they are lemmings leaping off a cliff because they simply don’t know any better!By vickie
January 31, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
I am happy to say we now have a Governor that is going to make a difference for the better for the people in the state of ohio. I believe this would be a great way to raise money. Maybe a lot of people would have fun spending money on trying to win some back and at the same time helping ohio. They may even find it more enjoyable than drinking and that too would be a good thing. I trust Governor Ted Strickland to help the people of ohio. At last, my vote was counted. Ohio will grow. With our Governor Strickland and Hillary Clinton as president, we can look with renewed hope for a better future.By Richard
January 31, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
I reluctantly moved from the Dayton area to Michigan 12 years ago. I have been to casinos three times, and play the Keno at our local bar about $2 worth a week. As long as Ohio has its daily lotteries and such, what is the difference? Local orgnizations get with the casinos and offer 1-day trips, I don’t know of anyone in this small town who has lost a house over it, and we have fun. Lighten up, Voinie boy. Not all of us were weaned on a pickle.By D
January 31, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
Voinovich the do nothing Governor who ensured underfunded schools and who votes like the Bush puppet he is. Ask Pennsylvania how well gambling has inproved their state income. They are now talking about how to cut property taxes way back.By Glen
January 31, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
I think this is fantastic! Ohio needs casino’s and perhaps this will be the first step toawrds acheiving that goal. The last time I checked, people over the age of 18 were considered legal adults who could spend their money how they chose. If gambling is your choice, then more power to you! If you take your gambling to an irresponsible level then you have only yourself to blame. Go Ohio!