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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > November > 24 > Entry
Columbus-area lawmakers unveil amendment that could halt casino
It’s probably a longshot but four Columbus-area lawmakers on Tuesday, Nov. 24, unveiled a proposed constitutional amendment that appears aimed at blocking a casino for Columbus.
The proposed amendment would require the legislature “to enact laws that authorize the submission of a question to the electors of a county on whether to approve the operation of casino gaming within the county before casino gaming may be conducted in that county.”
Getting the proposed amendment on the May 2010 ballot could be an uphill struggle. It would require approval of three-fifths majorities in the legislature - 60 votes in the 99-member House and 20 votes in the 33-member Senate.
Voters on Nov. 3 approved a constitutional amendment to permit casinos in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo.
However, voters in Franklin County, which includes Columbus, rejected the amendment while voters in the counties containing the other casino cities approved it.
“Cleveland, Toledo and Cincinnati voters should not be in a position to make development decisions for Columbus any more than Columbus residents should be weighing in on Cleveland projects,” Sen. David Goodman, R-New Albany, said in a press release. “This amendment gives local communities more control as Ohio takes its first steps into casino gaming.”
Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman for the pro-casino Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee, had this response:
“We anticipate there will be several proposals that are discussed in the wake of passage of Issue 3. But our focus in on working with the General Assembly to gain passage of legislation that will implement the voters’ approval of four casinos for Ohio and ensure that the state establishes an effective mechanism for regulating the casinos.”
Goodman and Sen. Jim Hughes, R-Columbus, introduced a resolution calling for a vote on the amendment in the Senate while Reps. Cheryl Grossman, R-Grove City, and Kevin Bacon, R-Minerva Park, unveiled the House version.
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By Jerryz
November 27, 2009 7:56 AM | Link to this
Give it up it has been voted on an passed. Quit the gerrymandering cry babys