Legislators accuse other legislator of ‘playing politics’

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State Rep. Ronald Gerberry, D-59

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Rep. Robert F. Hagan, D-Youngstown. (AP Photo/Larry Phillips)

YOUNGSTOWN — State Reps. Robert F. Hagan and Ronald V. Gerberry today said Ohio Senate President Bill Harris is “playing politics” by holding up the use of electronic slot machines to balance the state budget.

Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat, wants the machines at the state’s seven horse racing tracks saying they would generate about $933 million over the next two years that would be used to offset a $3.2 billion state budget shortfall.

Hagan and Gerberry, also Democrats, support the plan — even though they acknowledged today that they don’t know details of the proposal.

Hagan of Youngstown, D-60th, and Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th, spoke today at the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

The library would lose 30 percent of its funding under Strickland’s budget plan, which would cut state spending by $2.3 billion. Also, mental health and food bank programs would see significant state cuts in Strickland’s proposal.

The two legislators said cuts to those programs and others could be deeper if the electronic slot machine proposal isn’t implemented.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com