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Local casinos could be in new plan

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By William Hershey, Staff Writer Updated 9:27 AM Wednesday, October 14, 2009

COLUMBUS — Casino  gambling could come to Dayton and other Miami Valley communities under a new gambling plan unveiled Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Rep. Dennis Murray’s proposal, which could result in 15 casinos statewide, comes three weeks before the Nov. 3 vote on Issue 3, the constitutional amendment that would permit casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.

Murray, D-Sandusky, whose district includes Cedar Point Amusement Park, said he opposes Issue 3 as “flawed” and wants his plan to influence the discussion. He said a casino in his area could complement tourist activities at Cedar Point and the Lake Erie islands.

Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman for the pro-Issue 3 Jobs and Growth Plan, said only, “we’re going to focus on our campaign.”

Phil Parker, president and CEO of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, said a proposal such as Murray’s makes more sense than Issue 3.

“I think any of the metropolitan areas would at least give due consideration if this was available to them,” said Parker. The Dayton chamber opposes Issue 3.

Murray’s plan, House Joint Resolution 4, would go on the May 4, 2010, ballot. It faces a big hurdle. Getting the proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot would require 20 votes in the Republican-dominated 33-member Senate, 60 votes in the 99-member Democratically-controlled House.

It would put the state in charge of casino gambling, said Murray. Penn National Gaming and Dan Gilbert, majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, are behind Issue 3 and wrote the ballot language.

Under Murray’s plan, voters in a county or city would have to approve gambling before a casino could be built. A tax of 50 percent would be levied on gross revenue, with most of the money distributed to state and local governments and school districts. Issue 3 calls for a tax of 33 percent on gross revenue, with most of it going to local governments and school districts.

Murray’s plan

Rep. Dennis Murray’s plan calls for:

Up to six casinos in counties with populations of 400,000 or more, which would include Montgomery.

Up to five casinos in counties with populations of 100,000 or more but less than 400,000. Butler, Clark, Greene, Miami and Warren would be in this group.

Up to four casinos in counties with populations of less than 100,000. Champaign, Darke and Preble would be in this group.

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The current ads indicate that Ohio workers are just as good as Nevada workers. Why wouldn't Ohio workers get those jobs? Primarily because those Nevada workers have already gone through the process to get licensed and the Ohians with the good work ethic haven't. Casino operators are from out of state. They will hire from out of state. And, another question. Why aren't we asking for the highest tax rate instead of the 4th highest? Don't our kids deserve the best? Or is it all talk aganin?

Jim
9:18 AM, 10/17/2009

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1500 min. wage jobs; 500 Professional casino jobs ; 2000 Construction jobs for Ohioans and 1000 local service jobs. These are per casino, total is 20,000 jobs. What are the remaining 14,000 jobs? Casino Income: (500 buses taking 50 Ohioans each for 350 days per year, each losing $100 is $750 million. 30% tax on this is: $250 million, from Ohioans, who might have bought goods and services in Ohio. Finally, since Issue 3 is a Constitutional Amendment, no changes, without anotgher CA.

Tom Bartol
1:29 PM, 10/15/2009

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Tom Bartol
1:27 PM, 10/15/2009

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Again I'll vote NO to casinos. Casino jobs...low wage jobs. Dayton just lost respectable GM jobs, soon to loose NCR jobs. Is this the best our Columbus Leaders and local leaders can do? Does it take a BRAC to bring in high paying jobs? A YES vote to Issue 3 will only line the pockets of those who got the politians in their pockets. How low will the politians go to get voted back into office? Issue 3 is not about JOBS! Wake up people!

Mike
7:30 AM, 10/15/2009

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The only thing that the casinos are going to do is bring in min. wage jobs like Mc Donald's and Walmart. We already overflowing with min wage jobs,what do we need more for? The ad that says that its going to create 34000 jobs is a joke. It might create at most about what Indiana got was about 17500 jobs and that it. Plus got to cause more finanical hardship for people who can't afford to do it or other wise shouldn't be doing it at all.

Travis Ake
9:18 PM, 10/14/2009

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