Mahoning political parties unite in opposition to casino gambling

By David Skolnick

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County Democratic and Republican officials may not agree on a lot of things, but they stand united in opposition to a casino gambling proposal that could be on the November general election ballot.

The proposal by the Ohio Jobs & Growth Plan organization — financially supported by Dan Gilbert, majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Penn National Gaming Inc., which operates casinos and horse tracks throughout the country — would place Las Vegas-style gambling casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.

“The days of leaving Mahoning County and Youngstown out of state referendums are o-v-e-r,” said David Betras, county Democratic Party chairman. “They can spend money on seeking support here, but I can deal a huge blow to their plan in Mahoning County. They’ve got no shot of getting it passed in Mahoning County, and therefore it will fail statewide. They turn their backs on us. I’m turning my back on them.”

The organization contends the casinos would generate close to $2 billion a year in gaming revenues with one-third guaranteed tax on all gross gaming revenues, about $651 million divided based on population.

Mahoning County would receive $3.5 million annually and the same amount would go to Youngstown under the group’s plan.

The four cities getting the casinos, should the initiative get the needed signatures to be on the November ballot and be approved by voters, would also divide an additional $30 million a year.

Betras also points out that those four cities would make millions from the economic off-shoots of the casinos.

“We are tired of getting the crumbs,” he said.

County Republican Vice Chairman Mark Munroe said his party doesn’t believe “gambling is good public policy. It’s not the best way for the state to make money.”

If gambling is going to be in Ohio, something he doesn’t support, the proceeds should be divided equally.

Munroe also said he is concerned that the initiative would be a state constitutional amendment that gives control over gambling to a small group of people.

Betras and Munroe were to join labor, community and faith leaders today at a press conference at 20 Federal Place, the former Phar-Mor Centre, to further express their opposition.

Bob Tenenbaum, an Ohio Jobs & Growth Plan spokesman, said the distribution among counties and cities is “the fairest way” to split the money.

As for Munroe’s opposing gambling, but stating the proceeds should be divided equally if it is approved, Tennenbaum said, “There’s some degree of inconsistency there. Which is it? An objection to gambling or wanting it in Youngstown?”

This would be the fifth attempt to legalize gambling in Ohio since 1990. The other four failed at the ballot box.

skolnick@vindy.com