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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > July > 01 > Entry
Senate President schedules hearings on Guv’s gambling plan
Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, announced on Wednesday, July 1,that he’s setting up a five-member Senate panel to examine whether Gov. Ted Strickland needs legislative authority to authorize video slot machines at Ohio racetracks.
“I continue to believe that the voters of Ohio should have the say,” Harris said in a press release. “The governor demands that legislators vote to allow him to expand gambling. How can the governor expect anyone to support him if we don’t even know what his plan actually is?”
Hearings will begin Thursday, July 2, said Harris.
The hearings could further delay efforts to agree on a new two-year budget. The state is operating on a seven-day temporary budget. The new fiscal year began on Wednesday.
A dispute between Strickland and Harris over the slots’ proposal has left negotiations on a new state budget in a stalemate. Strickland says he need legislative authority for the slots; Harris says Strickland already has the authority so expand the Ohio Lottery to include the slots.
The plan would bring in $933 million over two years to help fill a $3.2 billion budget hole, Strickland has said.
Sen. Mark Wagoner, R-Toledo, will chair the task force holding the hearings.
Harris said he wants these questions answered:
*How did Strickland arrive at the $933 million figure?
*What happens to school funding if revenue projections don’t pan out? Lottery profits go to schools.
*Would the state and schools get more money if licenses for the slots were competitively bid?
*Is the Ohio Lottery Commission prepared to immediately take on new duties?
“Up until eleven days ago, the governor and I shared the same concerns about expanded gambling n Ohio,” Harris said. “Legislative hearings will help senators better understand the specifics of the gambling proposal the governor now say she supports.”
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