A Look at Ohio Issue #3
Issue 3 is a proposed Amendment to the Ohio Constitution that will permit slot machines in specific locations (seven horse racing tracks and two Cleveland non-track venues). Some of the profits are earmarked to go towards college scholarships, so the proponents of this Issue have dubbed it "Learn and Earn." The money is to be divided as such:
- 55% to the slot and casino owners and operators.
- 30% to the Board of Regents for college scholarships and grants to eligible students and administration of the program.
- The remaining revenues to be divided among local governments, race tracks for purse money, gambling addiction services
The complete official argument AGAINST Issue 3:
PROTECT OHIO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES -- VOTE “NO” on ISSUE 3
Please Vote NO on the Learn and Earn Casino Gambling Amendment.
This dishonest plan, filled with loopholes, will not deliver the benefits promised.
A handful of casino developers want to use your Constitution for their personal gain, but it will ruin lives.
Why so many are voting NO on Issue 3:
- Learn and Earn Casinos will create at least 109,000 NEW gambling addicts, ruining the lives of hundreds of thousands of families.
- Remember the Lottery? It didn't save Ohio public schools. Learn and Earn Casinos are a bad deal for students, parents, and colleges.
- Learn and Earn creates a private monopoly for a handful of casino owners. Gambling proceeds are exempted from state and local taxes.
- Learn and Earn Casinos will place NO money in the Ohio General Revenue Fund- not one dollar for the State Treasury.
- Issue 3 will not stop Ohioans from traveling to gamble but will grant licenses to out-of state operators and drain more dollars from Ohio.
- Ohio casinos will drain $2 billion from the local economy costing Ohio jobs.
- Learn and Earn LOOPHOLES will leave thousands of students without scholarships. There are no guarantees on how much scholarships will be worth or when they will be paid. Only the top 5% of students will qualify for tuition grants which disappear after 12 years.
- Learn and Earn will push Ohio into a Class III gambling state making it easier for tribal casinos to open in Ohio.
- Community leaders, elected officials and many Ohio newspapers are urging a “NO” vote on Learn and Earn's gambling casinos.
Don't gamble away Ohio's future. Protect Ohio's families and children.
Vote NO on ISSUE 3.
The complete official argument SUPPORTING Issue 3:
A "yes" vote on Issue 3 would provide thousands of Ohio's hard-working high school students with scholarships to Ohio's colleges and universities. All students will be eligible to earn these scholarships, which would be funded from the proceeds of expanded gambling--slot machines--at the seven commercial horse racing tracks, and at two carefully specified locations in Cleveland's entertainment district. Issue 3 would also provide new funds for economic development and job creation for communities throughout Ohio.
Unlike the proceeds from the lottery, Learn and Earn scholarship funds would be free from control of politicians who now simply reduce education's general revenue funds by the amount of lottery proceeds. Issue 3 expressly prohibits the reduction of such funds by providing that the money generated for scholarships and local communities' economic development will supplement, not supplant, monies currently appropriated for these purposes. The scholarship monies will be placed in individual accounts for Ohio's primary and secondary school students under the direct control of the Ohio Board of Regents. The legislature will be powerless to divert this money for politicians' pet projects.
Under Issue 3, the locations and number of slot machines would be strictly limited, and would be regulated by the new Gaming Integrity Commission, which will operate without general revenue tax dollars.
Each year, Ohioans spend billions of dollars on gaming entertainment in neighboring states and Canada. This amendment will help keep that money in Ohio for the benefit of Ohio and its children. Money now spent by Ohioans on gaming in Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, and Canada (and soon, Pennsylvania), benefits the residents of those places. The money spent by Ohioans on this form of entertainment should benefit Ohioans, not out-of-state interests.
Vote Yes for Ohio's Children. Vote yes on Issue 3.
What I think:
First off, both sides say they're for the children. NOW WHAT THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!?!
Just kidding.
I am strongly opposed to this issue because this is by far the worst possible use of a Constitutional Amendment. As I've mentioned before, a Constitution is supposed to represent and protect rights that all citizens should expect to enjoy for many, many years.... NOT the financial gain of specific and enumerated business men in specific and enumerated locations. It really eats me up to imagine a Constitutional Amendment permitting only a few wealthy people to open a business in only nine locations... only in and around Cleveland. I really wish that opponents crafted more of their public argument about this instead of focusing on moral implications and the promise of hellfire and brimstone.
[QUICK UPDATE]
In re-reading what's above and the comments, I realize this paragraph came off like I'm upset that someone is trying to make money. Couldn't be further from the truth. I'm upset that some want to have the Constitution allow a maximum of nine people to expand their business. No problem with the ends. Just the means.
[/UPDATE]
That's why I'm voting No. Therefore, I haven't looked into the scholarship aspect too much. I've heard people smarter than me say that hardly any money will get to students due to the application requirements and the amount of funds that will be available. Definitely something to look into if my main argument doesn't bother you.
I am all for bringing legalized gambling to Ohio and think it's ridiculous that we don't allow it. I think most Ohioans agree. Hopefully, those voters will read the fine print and see what this Issue is really about.
This article is permanently linked here.
7 comments
7 Comments:
Again I'm on the same wavelength as this blog's author. This is no sort of matter for a Constitutional amendment, and I too think the anti- arguments are misplaced.
How about an amendment that just makes gambling legal? Get it over with. There's no one in the Buckeye state who really wants to gamble but can't find an outlet for it, let's not kid ourselves.
OK, time to pick on the vote no people:
at least 109000 NEW gambling addicts? Get the hell out of here with your made-up numbers. That's terrible.
Ohio casinos will drain $2 billion from the local economy? There's a well-supported argument.
Is it the same person opposing all of these amendments?
cmh,
Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate you sharing your views. I'm on board with a lot of what you say. I don't like seeing business opportunities and Ohio dollars go to other states either. I'm also definitely not "anti-business" and I support a citizen's right to a make a buck more than most people. I have no moral opposition to gambling and hope it comes to Ohio soon.
However...
You said,
I understand you feelings about the constitution and giving the licenses to specific owners, but that's pretty much how it's done anymore.
Really? I don't think that's how it's done anymore. Show me examples. People open up businesses all the time without amending the most fundamentel document in our State's government. I can't wait to be mentioned personally in Amendment MCCCXII when I want to open my own place. A Constitutional Amendment that specifically allows only 9 locations? Forget what they are. That's utterly ridiculous. No other way around it.
I respect your right to vote as you choose. That's what makes this country great. However, I will not vote "the lesser of two evils" and desecrate everything a Constitution is supposed to stand for because I think gambling is good for Ohio. (And I do.) There's got to be another way to get it here. Let's work on that.
Andy,
I was also laughing internally (yet sadly) when I read about 109,000 new addicts. Thank God though, cuz if I knew for certain there'd be 110,000 new addicts and broken homes, I'd fight this Amendment tooth and nail.
I will not vote "the lesser of two evils" and desecrate everything a Constitution is supposed to stand for
A little melodramatic, no?
Not melodramatic if it's exactly how I feel.
The breakdown of the money doesn't bother me. Thanks for posting it, though.
My libertarian tendencies think that if someone opens a business, they should be entitled to 100% of the profits and the government can keep their nose out of it. Doesn't matter if that business happens to be a casino or gambling establishment.
(For the record though, I said I didn't know much about the college grants. I've since done a bit more research. They will not be implemented in the first two years, they go away after twelve years, they depend on the classes a high school student took, no support to students going out of state, etc, etc. Seems like they won't end up helping many kids in the long run. Not that we'd want something in a Constitution to apply to "the long run" or anything. [/sarcasm])
As I've stated, my problem is that Issue 3 will have the Ohio Constitution specifically tailored for only nine individual businesses. Totally inappropriate.
I'll support efforts to bring legalized gambling to Ohio if it's done the right way.
This is the wrong way.
First of all if people want to support gambling why have so many restrictions? Sure maybe not within the area of a church or school but why not in bars? Why try to pass such a restricted gambling law? Why can’t I open a gambling establishment and why only in the Cleveland area. The centrally located Columbus area is perfect for a gambling Mecca if you will.
Ohioans have so many gambling choices already Indiana, West Virginia, Michigan sure we’re missing out on that revenue but are those states tuition costs so much lower because of it?
I don’t like gambling, there I said it. I just don’t. Call me irrational but I don’t like the idea of gambling and so I will vote against it. This won’t stimulate trade or decrease our dependency on foreign oil so I can’t see a major plus side to vote for it. Boo gambling.
However if a restaurant wants me to vote for them to get a Sunday liquor license then yes that I will always vote yes for.
I don’t like gambling, there I said it. I just don’t.
Does this mean we're never going to bet on the pretty ponies?
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