The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

YOUR LETTERS

Casinos will bring jobs; vote yes on Issue 3

Bickering and ugliness will destroy us
11/20/09
Obama programs aim to get control
11/20/09
Fixing health care can help business
11/20/09
Leonard’s excuses don’t explain McLin's loss
11/19/09
Ministerial group wrong on McLin
11/19/09
> More opinion headlines

5:14 PM Monday, October 19, 2009

Tax comparisons weren’t valid

Re “Issue 3 is a stacked deck”, Oct. 16: The editorial was disappointing, but even more disturbing, it relied heavily on casino tax comparisons that were invalid at best and flat-out incorrect at worst.

The DDN cited Pennsylvania’s tax rate without pointing out that Pennsylvania has no full casinos, only slot machines. Because they require far fewer employees to operate, slot machines are always taxed at a much higher rate than full casinos.

And the editorial cited a tax rate for Michigan that was double what it really is: 19 percent, as opposed to the 34 percent figure you used. That is particularly disturbing because Michigan — with three commercial casinos in Detroit — is very comparable to what Ohio would be with four commercial casinos.

We hope voters will study the actual language on the Nov. 3 ballot and make their own decisions. We think if they do, the 34,000 jobs Issue 3 would create, the $651 million in new tax revenue it would generate (including $7.9 million a year for both Dayton and Montgomery County, and $9.7 million a year for Montgomery County schools) and the huge economic boost it will give Ohio will convince them Issue 3 is the right plan at the right time.

— Charlie Luken

Cincinnati

Mr. Luken is chairman of the Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee.

Think of jobs casinos will bring

I don’t understand why some people in Ohio are against casinos. Think of all the construction workers who could again provide for their families, and the jobs casinos would provide. Why should Ohioans take their money to Michigan and Indiana?

I believe buying lottery tickets is a form of gambling, so maybe we should do away with that, too.

As for the people who are against 18-year-olds playing the slot machines because they don’t think they are old enough to be responsible, they are old enough to join the military, fight and give their lives for their country and go to other countries and fight for other people’s freedom.

— Claudette Clark

Dayton

Other businesses would be created

Regarding the casino issue in Ohio: Would people please stop, take a breath, and understand that the multitude of outlying businesses that would be created would help Ohio in our “lack of jobs” dilemma? Hotels, restaurants, small businesses, etc., would all bring an exciting shot in the arm to Ohio.

It’s no longer just a gambling issue — it’s a survival issue.

— Elisabeth M. Mock

Spring Valley

Casinos will boost the economy

I’m a native Ohioan, but I lived in Las Vegas from 1990 to 1993. I loved the casinos, but I was not a gambler. To me, gambling is like throwing money out of an open window with the hope that some of it may blow back in. That said, I couldn’t care less if some other adult wants to gamble. Grown-ups should be able to do pretty much whatever they want, as long as it’s not illegal or injurious to someone else.

Gambling is already legal in Ohio. We have the state lottery and bingo halls. Some Buckeyes are concerned that if a casino is in close proximity to their homes, they’ll feel compelled to go there and gamble away the rent money. That’s no more likely to happen than a person living next to a church will feel compelled to become religious.

Casinos are more than just gambling halls. Most of them also contain restaurants, bars, hotel accommodations, showrooms and arcades for the entertainment of gamers’ children. These casinos will be entertainment venues, which will attract tourist dollars and generate jobs. Instead of losing your rent money at a nearby casino, you could go there to earn it.

Buckeyes need to pass Issue 3 to help us boost our economy and get us through these tough times.

— John Alexander

Dayton

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

vote YES and support cincinnati public schools

sierra
12:33 PM, 10/28/2009

REPORT ABUSE

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 another CA.

Tom
9:38 PM, 10/21/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Tom
9:34 PM, 10/21/2009

REPORT ABUSE

I'm all for 3 I have been out of work since January I work for a const.company and need the work. As far as for the ones who are not for it DON'T Play.

Connie

Connie
8:04 PM, 10/21/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Are you voters fully prepared to cede the land that the casino will sit on to the owner? Because the amendment clearly states that the casino will not be subject to any limiting rule or regulation imposed by the State or the locality. Zoning regs will not apply. And, any game permitted in any surrounding state MUST be allowed in Ohio. Please vote NO and retain state sovereignty

Rob
12:17 PM, 10/20/2009

REPORT ABUSE

There are 3 additional comments

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.