Ohio Governor Ordering Slot Gambling to Race Tracks
After long and sometimes acrimonious debate, Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio has decided to implement an executive order placing slots at state race tracks. The governor has said for weeks that without the expanded gambling, the state would not be able to meet its budget.
Strickland had tried to get the legislature to approve a lot measure, but state Senate Republicans balked, refusing to go on the record for more gaming in the state. However, the group allowed that Strickland could either make an executive decision, or place a measure on the public ballot.
While polls have shown better than sixty percent of voters want the slot gambling introduced, a public vote would take more time than Strickland says he has to find budget funding. So today, Strickland prepared his order, in concert with legislators who will vote to clarify gaming laws to make it clear Strickland is within his authority.
Legal experts had warned that the lottery laws are uncertain as to the control the governor has to expand games other than standard, ticket-oriented gambling. By protecting Strickland's move with legislation, lawmakers allow the state to avoid lawsuits which may have caused the loss of anticipated revenues.
The two quarreling sides agreed that the budget could be presented as a separate package from the detailing of the lottery law, so that anti-gambling legislators will not be forced to vote for gaming.
