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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > July > 02
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Strickland won’t do slots without lawmaker OK
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.
