Senate to consider new deal for payments to racino communities

COLUMBUS

A racino payment amendment is among the issues to be talked about in the Ohio Senate during state budget talks, beginning today.

Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni, D-33rd, of Boardman, had submitted an amendment late last week that was similar to what Republican Gov. John Kasich line-vetoed in December. This time, however, the annual $500,000 payment would be for the six eligible racino communities with half coming from the track relocation fund if an entity pays into that and the other half from the operator.

Penn National Gaming Inc. will pay $150 million into that relocation fund during a 10-year period for moving tracks from Toledo to Dayton and from Grove City, Ohio to Austintown.

What the Senate has in front of it differs from what Schiavoni submitted last week. The Senate will discuss a proposed two-year racino payment for the six racino communities with $250,000 from the relocation fund and $250,000 from the operator of the facility within that municipality.

Schiavoni said early Tuesday he wasn't sure what had changed with his proposal of annual to two years.

For more on this story, check back to Vindy.com later today or pick up a copy of Wednesday's Vindicator.