Methodist bishops dislike Strickland slots plan

Two Ohio leaders still like the governor, but don’t agree with decision.

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By William Hershey, Staff Writer Updated 10:09 AM Tuesday, June 23, 2009

COLUMBUS — Gov. Ted Strickland is still a United Methodist minister, but his plan to put video slot machines at Ohio’s seven racetracks puts him in a different pew than the denomination’s two top Ohio leaders.

Bishop Bruce Ough of the church’s West Ohio Conference, which includes the Dayton area, and Bishop John Hopkins of the church’s East Ohio Conference, said Monday, June 22, that they were disappointed with Strickland’s decision to back expanded gambling to help close a $3.2 billion gap in the proposed state budget.

“I’m very disappointed that the governor has reversed his long-standing opinion on not using expanded gambling to generate revenue to support the state budget, particularly to support public education,” said Ough.

He said the church’s social principles oppose gambling because it exploits individuals and “is not a just means to raise money for the state.”

Ough and Hopkins said the church’s argument is based on economics, not just morality: “It builds false hope that we can solve our financial problems through a quick fix,” Ough said.

Strickland has a “honorable location” status with the church, Ough said. This means he is not active in ministry, but remains in good standing as an ordained minister.

Ough said he and Hopkins have met frequently with Strickland and have prayed with him.

“We still like Gov. Strickland,” Hopkins said. “We don’t like that policy.”

Amanda Wurst, Strickland’s spokeswoman, said in an e-mail that Strickland understands the bishops’ disappointment.

“He made this decision after careful consideration of the consequences of further cuts to critical services that impact the most vulnerable among us,” Wurst said.

Strickland respects the bishops and “hopes to be the recipient of their continued prayers for himself and Ohio,” she added.

Strickland’s office on Monday released an analysis that projected $933,183,000 would be raised from slots over two years — $455 million from licensing revenue and $478,183,333 from gambling revenue. The projections were based on several studies, including one by the Ohio State Racing  Commission and one for the Ohio Legacy Fund, made up of the track owners.

The commission study projected lower two-year revenue, about $505 million.

The increased gambling revenue and other revenue changes in Strickland’s budget-balancing proposal show a net gain for the state of about $765 million. The governor also proposed cuts of $2.4 billion.

Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or whershey @DaytonDailyNews.com.

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