Ohio Casino Opponents Voice Their Concern

A plan to put casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo is a losing bet, state Rep. Dennis E. Murray Jr. said.

However, an alternative proposal that would allow casinos in Lorain, Sandusky and elsewhere could be better for Ohio, he said.

This week, Murray blasted "The Ohio Jobs & Growth Plan" casino proposal and confirmed he has drafted an alternative that would allow casino gambling in any of Ohio's 88 counties. The Sandusky Democrat's district includes Erie County, and he discussed the issue Monday as part of a business and government summit hosted by Erie and Huron county chambers of commerce.

Time will tell whether Ohio legislators and voters see either issue on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Supporters of The Ohio Jobs & Growth Plan, which would put casinos in Ohio's four largest cities, must gather 400,000 signatures by next month to get the issue on the ballot. Backers include casino operator Penn National and Dan Gilbert, the founder of Quicken Loans.

Murray said he would wait to see if the issue makes the ballot before asking Ohio's lawmakers to put a second gambling issue up for a vote.

The Ohio Jobs & Growth Plan promotes $1 billion minimum in private investment, $200 million in licensing fees, $651 million a year for schools, counties, cities and Ohio, with 20,000 new jobs, according to its Web site, www.ohiojobsandgrowth.org.

Even so, it is not a winner, Murray said.

For the complete story, please see Richard Payerchin, State Rep. Murray says casino plan a losing bet, The Morning Journal, June 24, 2009.