COLUMBUS - A proposal to put video slot machines run by the Ohio Lottery at the state's seven struggling horse racing tracks died yesterday.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Lou Blessing, the Cincinnati Republican who chairs the powerful Senate Ways and Means Committee, would have put the question to a statewide referendum as early as this November. But, aware that the majority of his committee planned to side against him on the issue, Blessing adjourned yesterday's committee hearing without taking a vote.
Besides certain opposition to the original resolution, Blessing also faced a sweeping amendment from Sen. Jim Jordan, an Urbana Republican. Jordan, a gambling opponent, wanted to put not just video terminals, but the entire existence of the Ohio Lottery, to a statewide vote. Instead, a vote on the bill was simply dropped.
"I think, realistically, it's dead - unless the [Ohio Supreme] Court tells us we need more money for schools," an exasperated Blessing said after the meeting. "If they [the court justices] approve our school funding plan, I don't think there's a chance this goes on the ballot."
Not voting yesterday allows the committee to revisit the resolution if the court rejects the funding plan. Estimates suggested that the so-called video lottery terminals could generate up to $422 million annually in new income for state coffers - and financially strapped racetracks and the communities that house them were solidly behind it.
Those competing with out-of-state racing facilities, particularly the Cincinnati and Cleveland areas, were most adamant. "This is a sad day not only for me but for residents of this community," said Mayor Shelton Richardson of North Randall, home to the Thistledown race track. "If Thistledown closed down, my whole community would have to close down."
SOURCE:
www.cleveland.com
