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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > September > 02 > Entry
Second lawsuit to be filed against slots plan; Sen. Voinovich to lend support
A second lawsuit will be filed aimed at halting Ohio’s video slots-at-the-racetracks plan, the Ohio Roundtable announced on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
The group will unveil the lawsuit at a Thursday press conference but said in a press release it will be aimed at the “unconstitutional expansion of the Ohio Lottery into the commercial use of slot machines at Ohio’s racetracks.”
U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, a former governor and outspoken opponent of gambling, is expected to attend the press conference, the release said.
One focus of the lawsuit, expected to be filed in the Ohio Supreme Court, is on the legislature’s action authorizing the Ohio Lottery Commission to pass regulations to operate the slot machines as a means of balancing the state budget, the release said.
“Since 1990 over 10 million votes have been cast against casino gambling in Ohio,” David Zanotti, president and CEO of the Ohio Roundtable said in a press release. “The governor has cast aside all those votes and the results of four legal elections.”
Ohio voters have rejected gambling ballot proposals four times since 1990 but Strickland and the legislature implemented the video slots plan without a vote of the people.
Announcement of the lawsuit came on the same day that the Ohio Supreme Court held oral arguments on the first lawsuit challenging the slots’ plan. That lawsuit asked the court to give LetOhioVote.org permission to begin a petition drive to put the slots’ plan before voters in November 2010.
The plan to put 17,500 video slot machines at Ohio’s seven racetracks is supposed to raise $933 million over two years to help balance the state budget.
Gov. Ted Strickland’s spokeswoman Amanda Wurst had this e-mail reaction to the second lawsuit:
“The administration is focused on the successful implementation of video lottery terminals to fund education and meet the Constitutional obligation to balance the budget without increasing taxes on Ohioans.
“The General Assembly authorized VLTs as an activity of the constitutionally-established Ohio Lottery. While this suit is not unexpected, it is unfortunate that taxpayer resources will be squandered just to prove something we already know to be true.”
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Comments
By P ooed
September 9, 2009 4:51 PM | Link to this
My funds have been kind of low lately and I think I will start my own casino. If that is illegal I apologize and will probably have to go to jail, but so isn’t going around the voters illegal that was done by Governor do’nt give a damn about the majority voters Strickland and those in legislature that voted for this, but none of them will be going to jail, hopefully they will be without a job like Strictland at the end of their terms.By Clarence L. Johnson
September 8, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this
Sen. Voinovich and his friends who so bitterly oppose Slots in Ohio must be getting a healthy kickback from the gambling lobbists in Indiana.By Clarence L. Johnson
September 8, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this
Sen. Voinovich and his friends who so bitterly oppose Slots in Ohio must be getting a healthy kickback from the gambling lobbists in Indiana.By Clarence L. Johnson
September 8, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this
Sen. Voinovich and his friends who so bitterly oppose Slots in Ohio must be getting a healthy kickback from the gambling lobbists in Indiana.By Clarence L. Johnson
September 8, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this
Sen. Voinovich and his friends who so bitterly oppose Slots in Ohio must be getting a healthy kickback from the gambling lobbists in Indiana.By Clarence L. Johnson
September 8, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this
Sen. Voinovich and his friends who so bitterly oppose Slots in Ohio must be getting a healthy kickback from the gambling lobbists in Indiana.By Clarence L. Johnson
September 8, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this
Sen. Voinovich and his friends who so bitterly oppose Slots in Ohio must be getting a healthy kickback from the gambling lobbists in Indiana.By P OOED
September 5, 2009 12:23 AM | Link to this
My funds hav ebeen kind of low lately I think I will start my own casino. If that is illegal I apologize and will probably have to go to jail, but so isn’t going around the voters illegal that was done by Governor do’nt give a damn about the majority voters Strickland and those in legislature that voted for this, but none of them will be going to jail, hopefully they will be without a job like Strictland at the end of their terms.By we the people
September 3, 2009 11:13 PM | Link to this
The Governor’s spokeperson brings mentions about squandering their money fighting this. I would say why is the governor and his staff so concerned now when they do not give a damn abou how we voted. WHo in the hell do they think they are, bunch of people that think we cannot see past their bottom feeding ideas and that we are brainless and blind to their political Bullsh_t. Vote these idiots out of office. They think we are the idiots!!By ajax
September 3, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this
The republicans are why this state is towards the bottom in everything except bonafide idiots. Can’t understand why it is anything to help the people or better ourselves they have to object?? I think it is time to round up all these morons and their followers and put some hot lead in their misguided lives.By Hugh Jaynis
September 2, 2009 8:53 PM | Link to this
I’m all for the sluts plan. I’ve had a slow month.By NoUse4aName
September 2, 2009 7:35 PM | Link to this
Ohio Roundtable is a despicable organization that buys into David Barton’s idea that there never was supposed to be a separation of church and state and further that only Christians should hold public office. Effectively a tax exempt religious intolerance group.By having fun
September 2, 2009 5:53 PM | Link to this
I just dont understand it. The slot machines will bring in dollars that will help OHIO. I go to Indiana and have a great time, I talk only what I can afford to loose. I would much rather spend my money in my own state. KEEP OHIO DOLLARS IN OHIOBy painfultruth
September 2, 2009 4:11 PM | Link to this
Strickland is a liar and a crook. Nothing more need be said. Oops, except he’s a DEMOCRAT, so being a liar and a crook is a plus, as EVERYONE knows only Republicans lie! You MORONS elected him. S U C K E R S …By Leslie
September 2, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this
Voino wants to step in and help now. Where was you support to help us pass our 10th amendment resolution. You know Voino the 10th amendment the one you said Obama does not understand. You have no time to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States, but now you will step in because of gambling. How about protecting the sovereignty of our state from the Federal Government. He also votes yes to every benefit they can come up with for illegals. Can’t wait for this man to retire.