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Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Ethics complaint filed against Boehner
By Jack Torry
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — A non-partisan ethics organization in Washington filed an ethics complaint against House Speaker John Boehner, charging that he violated federal law by having the House pay legal fees to a private law firm to defend a federal law restricting same-sex marriage.
The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics complained that Boehner’s decision to pay the legal fees violated a federal law which prevents federal officials from spending more money than Congress has appropriated.
Boehner, R-West Chester Twp., ordered House officials to pay $500,000 to the law firm of former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement to defend the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which declares that the federal government defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
Boehner turned to Clement, who served in the administration of George W. Bush, after U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced he would not defend the law. The marriage act was signed by former President Bill Clinton.
Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said in a statement that “it is ironic that Speaker Boehner — a fierce critic of government overspending — did not hesitate to pledge half a million dollars he does not have to defend a law of dubious constitutionality. It seems the speaker believes fiscal responsibility starts at home, but not in the House.”
In the complaint, the ethics organization claims that the House’s Office of the General Counsel has a budget of $1.4 million for the 2011 federal spending year. The $500,000 spend on Clement’s legal services would be more than the counsel office’s budget.
Brittany Bramell, a Boehner spokesman, dismissed the complaint as “off-base and silly.’’ Bramell said Boehner “expects any cost to be recouped’’ from the Obama administration, which she said “should be defending the law in court.’’
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TweetOhio to get $110M more from casinos; no deal on Dayton track
By Joanne Huist Smith
An agreement between Gov. John Kasich’s administration and the developer of casinos in Cincinnati and Cleveland could net the state millions in fees, mostly from slot machines, while discussions with the company that wants to build a racetrack in Dayton continue.
Ohio would get an additional $110 million in payments over the next 10 years from the deal with Rock Ohio Caesars, LLC, the developer of Horseshoe Casino properties; about $350 in video lottery terminal fees. Commission on slot machine revenues cannot exceed 66.5 percent.
Portions of the agreement would require approval by the General Assembly and in some cases the Casino Control, Lottery and Racing commissions.
The deal, in principle, would allow Rock to pay the state’s commercial activity tax on total dollars wagered minus winnings and prizes to customers.
That deall currently does not apply to Penn National Gaming, Inc. Penn National wants to move operations at Beulah Park near Columbus to a site at Wagner Ford and Needmore roads in Dayton, about a mile east of Interstate 75.
The proposed $200 million thoroughbred horse racetrack in north Dayton that would create 1,500 jobs.
“We are still in discussions with the administration over a variety of issues that involve gaming,” Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman for Penn Nationnal Gaming Inc. said. “We have not reached an agreement.”
If built, the Dayton facility would be the first new racetrack in Ohio since 1959. Penn also announced intends to move Raceway Park in Toledo to Youngstown.
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TweetUPDATED - “Guns in bars” bill heads to Kasich after final passage -House OKs “guns-in-bars” bill; Senate approval expected
Legislation allowing concealed carry permit holders to take their guns into bars and restaurants serving alcohol as long as they are not drinking themselves won final legislative approval on Wednesday.
Next stop is Gov. John Kasich who said he is “likely” to sign the bill.
The Ohio House acted first Wednesday, approving the bill 55-39. The Senate then gave its approval, 25-7.
The vote was on the Senate version of the bill, Senate Bill 17. Each chamber earlier had passed its own version of the legislation and the decision was made to use the Senate bill for final passage.
Because the House State Government and Elections Committee on Tuesday added one amendment to the Senate version, the Senate has to approve the amended version for final passage.
The amendment makes clear that concealed carry permit holders are prohibited from drinking beer as well as hard liquor.
The bill also would remove restrictions on how permit holders must handle their guns while driving. Now, a gun must be in a holster, closed case or unlocked container in plain sight.
Bar and restaurant owners could prohibit guns in their establishments by posting signs.
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