OHIO SENATE GOP releases video slot bill

The Senate president says he's reaching out to Democrats for backing.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- Ohio Senate Republican leaders have unveiled their latest proposal to put video slot machines at Ohio's horse-racing tracks, and the chamber's top Republican said he expected a vote on the measure by year's end.
"The goal is to get it passed," said Senate President Richard H. Finan, a Cincinnati Republican.
Under a bill introduced Tuesday, the state lottery commission would be authorized to set up video slot machines at Ohio's seven horse-racing tracks.
Citing what he said were the best estimates available, Finan said the measure, if passed, would net the state at least $500 million a year in additional revenue.
Filling the gaps
Some state officials have said that the next two-year state budget, which must be in place by July 1, is facing an unspecified deficit. Backers of video slot machines see the bill as a way to bring additional revenue to the state without additional taxes.
The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Louis W. Blessing Jr., another Cincinnati Republican, says 37.5 percent of the proceeds of video slot machines would be paid back to the racetracks for maintaining the buildings that would house the machines.
An additional 10.5 percent of the video slot proceeds would also go to the racetracks, to pay for any damage to the machines.
The remaining money would go to the state lottery, which helps fund public education.
According to the bill, portions of the 10.5 percent paid to the tracks for repairs would go to the county and city in which the racetrack is located. If the racetrack isn't located in a city, that portion would go to the township.
The bill would authorize between 1,800 and 2,000 video slot machines at each racetrack and would prohibit slot machines from being in use between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Gathering support
Republicans control the Senate 21 to 12, but Finan said he was unsure how many Republican senators would support the bill. He said he planned to count votes later this week.
Some conservative Republican senators have said they oppose attempts to expand legalized gambling in Ohio.
Finan said he's reaching out to Democratic senators to gain support for the bill.
"There have been discussions with the other side on this," Finan said.
Senate Minority Leader Gregory L. DiDonato, a Dennison Democrat, said he expected to speak with his caucus to gauge support for the measure.
"What the Democrats are concerned about is, how does it affect our constituents?" DiDonato said.
In exchange for their support, DiDonato said Democrats may ask for items in the next two-year state budget such as restoring funding for Meals on Wheels, hemophiliac services and other programs.
Finan said Blessing's bill would be considered by the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday.
If the bill is passed by the Senate, it must still be considered by the Republican-controlled House.
Jennifer Detwiler, a spokeswoman for House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, said the speaker hasn't yet seen Blessing's bill.
Governor objects
Joe Andrews, a spokesman for Republican Gov. Bob Taft, said the governor would veto any bill authorizing video slot machines in the state.
A three-fifths majority in both the 33-member Senate and the 99-member House is required to override a veto.
Religious groups have also vowed to fight any proposal for video slot machines.