COLUMBUS Merits of video slots debated

Committee debate was to begin today.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- Opponents have taken aim at a proposal to ask voters to bring video lottery terminals to Ohio, reiterating contentions the expansion of legalized gambling would bring more crime and social problems to the state.
"The social costs ... that will follow are so high that we should not bring it to Ohio," state Sen. Jim Jordan, an Urbana Republican, told a Senate committee Tuesday. "The problems are real."
"This is, I think, a bad idea for the state," Jordan told the Senate State and Local Government Committee. "I'm hoping we don't have this go to the ballot."
The committee is studying a proposal that would ask voters to approve placing between 1,800 and 2,500 video-slot machines at Ohio's seven horse-racing tracks.
Under the proposal, sponsored by state Sens. Louis W. Blessing, Jr., a Cincinnati Republican, and Eric D. Fingerhut, a Cleveland Democrat, proceeds from video slots would largely be split between racetracks and a state-run Ohio Scholars program that would provide maximum scholarships of $5,000 for Ohio high school graduates for one year at approved colleges in the state.
Part of budget debate
VLTs are also sure to be debated by a House-Senate conference committee hashing out the new two-year state budget that must be in place by July 1.
The version of the budget passed by each legislative chamber contained different VLT provisions.
Conference committee debate was to begin today.
At the Senate hearing, others also criticized the video-slots plan, which would generate $500 million annually for state coffers.
Sandy Walgate, an East Liverpool resident whose son suffered from a gambling addiction, said arguments that other states already have the machines should be discounted.
"If you approve this legislation, you will be responsible for the destruction it has caused," Walgate told senators.
Speaking before the committee, Blessing said that casino-style gambling exists in Indiana and Michigan and that many Ohioans travel to those places to gamble.
Economic development in Ohio would benefit if voters approve video slots. "The intent is to keep Ohio dollars in Ohio," Blessing said.
Wants it on November ballot
Blessing said he would seek to go to the state ballot in November.
Under Blessing's resolution, at least 49 percent of the proceeds would be given to the racetracks as a commission and as reimbursement of their costs.
A portion of the proceeds would also go to the purses at the tracks.
The two-year, $48.7 billion state budget passed by the GOP-led House in April included a provision for video slot machines to help fund state operations.
Under the House version, the state would discontinue a proposed temporary 1-cent boost in the sales tax after the budget's first year if voters approve video slots.
Under the two-year, $49.3 billion state budget bill approved by the Senate earlier this month, the proposed temporary sales tax increase was extended to both budget years and the video slots provision was broken off and placed in separate legislation.
Possible consideration by the full Senate could come later this week.
Ohio voters rejected bids in 1990 and 1996 to expand legalized gambling.