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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > June > 19 > Entry
Sources: Strickland to announce support for slots
By Laura Bischoff
Gov. Ted Strickland on Friday, June 19, announced $2.43 billion in “painful” budget cuts that will significantly resize state government and he is proposing putting video slot machines at Ohio’s racetracks to help generate $933 million over the two-year state budget.
Overall, Ohio has to plug a $3.2 billion hole in the proposed budget.
Strickland said the budget will be balanced without increasing taxes or arresting tax rollbacks that are underway.
The Ohio State Racing Commission has developed a plan for putting 14,000 video slot machines at Ohio’s seven racetracks. The slot machines can be added through legislative action and using the Ohio Lottery Commission, Strickland said.
Ohio votes have rejected gambling proposals four times since 1990 and any plan to put slots at tracks without a vote of the people would be expected to spark a backlash.
Separately, gambling proponents are gathering petition signatures to put yet another casino proposal before Ohio voters. The four-casino plan is being pitched by Penn National Gaming, Inc of Wyomissing, Pa., which operates the Argosy in Lawrenceburg, Ind., and Dan Gilbert, majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and founder of Quicken Loans. This deal would help generate $600 million a year for counties, cities and school districts.
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Comments
By Gamble
June 22, 2009 7:09 AM | Link to this
Slots in Ohio would be great! There is already gambling going on around us, may aswell keep the profits in Ohio. Seriously look at what could be if we had Gambling in Ohio. Jobs-over 500 jobs for current Ohio residents, Money- Lots of profits, less taxes and more money for our local communites, and not to mention schools, kids, hospitals, and even local businesses. I don’t care if it is your religion or what that makes you think gambling is wrong, but If you care about your state you might actually be able to do something to help it out. Stop bitching and make the right choice morons!!!By Gamble
June 22, 2009 7:03 AM | Link to this
Slots in Ohio would be great! There is already gambling going on around us, may aswell keep the profits in Ohio. Seriously look at what could be if we had Gambling in Ohio. Jobs-over 500 jobs for current Ohio residents, Money- Lots of profits, less taxes and more money for our local communites, and snot to mention schools, kids, hospitals, and even local businesses.s.By DaveM
June 20, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this
Where was he when they wanted to make 7000 jobs in Clinton CountyBy Tom
June 19, 2009 9:18 PM | Link to this
you are saving 16,000 job’s plus adding new one’s to the state. thank’s GovBy Tom
June 19, 2009 7:36 PM | Link to this
I strongly support the governor’s action. First it will help the local race tracks survive. Second it will raise revenue for Ohio instead of Indiana.By Carolyn
June 19, 2009 7:15 PM | Link to this
You have to be kidding,piperlady …the government cutting costs????HAH!I’ll continue driving to Indiana and donating my money to THEIR government.By Jack
June 19, 2009 6:56 PM | Link to this
@Rich who said: “Voters have spoken over and over on this point — we do NOT want expanded gambling in Ohio. Get a clue, Ted. “ Actually Rich, YOU are the one who needs to get a clue. Voters have NOT spoken on this issue “over and over”. People who make that baseless argument clearly did not read the proposals that were on the ballots in the past. They were all seriously flawed proposals. PERIOD. So, spare us the “voters have spoken” garbage. Even people who are for casinos have voted against these garbage proposals. Rich and people like you need to bring valid arguments to the discussion besides the baseless “people have spoken” BS.By FreedomWriter
June 19, 2009 6:40 PM | Link to this
Oh wait a second, hold the phone here. Am i reading this right? Now the head cheese of Ohio says he`s in favor of Slot Machines at the area race tracks. Well i hope the other legislation is going to pass allowing other places to take advantage of this money.. It should of happened along long time ago. But the Gov deemed it not necessary. Wonder what changed his mind… Hum i wonder…$$$$By Informed
June 19, 2009 6:40 PM | Link to this
Contrary to the opinion of those that can’t think for themselves and can only be told what to think, the last thing a casino operator wants around his business is crap that would run people away.By Maggie
June 19, 2009 6:38 PM | Link to this
Bring on the casinos!By Informed
June 19, 2009 6:35 PM | Link to this
Contrary to the opinion of those that can’t think for themselves and cna only be led, the last thing a casino operator wants around his casino is crap that would run people away.By Informed
June 19, 2009 6:33 PM | Link to this
Contrary to opinion, casinos do not increase crime. he last thing a casino operator wants around his casino is crap that would keep people away.By Rich
June 19, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this
Prediction: Petitions will soon be circulating to place an initiative on the ballot to forbid video slots at racetracks. And THAT petition, I would sign — unlike the misleading casino petitions we’ve seen over the last few months. Voters have spoken over and over on this point — we do NOT want expanded gambling in Ohio. Get a clue, Ted.By Harangutan
June 19, 2009 5:09 PM | Link to this
Bringing vice into Ohio is NOT progress, it dirties the hands of Ohioans! Remember how the Ohio State Lottery was supposed to pay for public education? It never works out that way, in the end. Helping out Ohioans is just a smokescreen excuse for bring gambling vice and higher crime into Ohio neighborhoods. This ain’t progress, it’s destructive to Ohio! Ohio voters DO NOT WANT gambling in Ohio, and we vote it down every time. Strickland is bragging about going against the will of the people by sneaking in gambling into Ohio.By Liberal Gobblygook
June 19, 2009 5:03 PM | Link to this
Wait a minute…lotterys (slot machines?)are a “regressive tax”…that taxes our voters, the poor, the negroes…all who are where they are because of events out of their control and the hatred of the white man.By Get Real
June 19, 2009 5:03 PM | Link to this
Teddy, are you a flip-flopper now? Hmmm, signs of a desperate act to get re-elected.By Thinkaboutit
June 19, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this
I say build some casinos its about time Ohio gets some of the cut!!!!By Donald
June 19, 2009 4:39 PM | Link to this
Penn sucks. Look at what we’ve done for them with Argosy soon to be the 365 million dollar Hollywood Casino. They spent lost of $ to get an Ohio casino voted down last November and now our Gov. is allowing them to put the slots here. Tricky, dirty. Thanks Voters and Uncle Ted.By TYGO
June 19, 2009 4:29 PM | Link to this
For those of you ignorant and uninformed who have posted stupid and hateful comments, I suggest you speak to the citizens of Lawrenceburg,Indiana, which has enjoyed the profits of gambling with no increase in crime.hacrime.crime.hasIndiana, which hasBy Lngago
June 19, 2009 4:23 PM | Link to this
Tax churches and high priced ministers salaries I say!!!!!By Ted
June 19, 2009 4:19 PM | Link to this
Wow.By Lollipop10
June 19, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this
Strickland will put in anything he can tax. Check out his hospital ‘fee’, that you and I will ultimately pay. Do politicians have any morals?????????????By thepiperlady
June 19, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this
What a terrible idea. Counting on gambling revenue to help the budget instead of cutting costs !By resident ohio
June 19, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this
Seducing money from the people least able to afford it - how ignoble. How about dumping the slots, lottery, etc. and do real budgeting. Schools run off a percentage of state income tax just like resident must live within their income. Simple formula.By Gorby
June 19, 2009 4:13 PM | Link to this
How many times do the citizens of Ohio have to vote “NO.” Listen up politicians.By Lexus Mercedes
June 19, 2009 4:10 PM | Link to this
Get the economy going - ‘Strickland to announce support for sluts’By Bobo
June 19, 2009 4:07 PM | Link to this
Just put the slot machines in the schools. And churches.By Tina
June 19, 2009 4:04 PM | Link to this
Finally maybe people will stop traveling to IN with all of there money to leave there and use it here in OH we need it. It is not like you are bringing gambling to a whole new venue they are already gambling on race outcomes at the track so why not help our economy at the same time.By kelly
June 19, 2009 3:55 PM | Link to this
You Obama Strickland Hillary lovers su_ck. Now after the entire state is on is last leg you want sluts.?By Norman Cary
June 19, 2009 3:51 PM | Link to this
S’s religious background would not suggest this support. It’s an example of how desperate the Ohio governmen t isBy FredL
June 19, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this
‘bout time Ted! Now, you may be able to help save some jobs in Ohio. To the meddling religious do gooders, that have never visited a race track, I won’t tell! :)By Curious
June 19, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this
Governor Strickland, Is gambling and promoting addiction to same, now a United Methodist value? CuriousBy kelly
June 19, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this
This is it! Jim & Bob YOU SU_CK. Now your bf Ted boom boom Stricland wants sluts????????