Private Company pushing for Ballot that would award them sole right to build a casino in Ohio

[polticalpout]

So if you haven't heard there is yet another push to get Ohio voters to vote for an Amendment that would allow a casino to be built in Ohio. I'm not opposed to a casino in Ohio as it is surrounded by states that have casinos and is losing tax revenue by not having one inside the state. But here is the kicker...This Amendments language would give a private company, Lakes Entertainment, Minnetonka the right to build a solo casino with out bidding for this right.

That's right, there would no competing bidding for the right to build a casino in Ohio. Instead 1 private company would be allowed to do so while no else would legally be allowed. Even if a different private company offered a better deal to the state, say more higher paying jobs and a better tax kickback to the state Ohio could not legally accept such an offer and would be forced to allow Lakes Entertainment to build and operate the casino via the ballet.

For this reason I urge everyone to vote against the casino ballet this November if Lakes Entertainment, Minnetonka is successful in their petitioning drive.

[MeDeMax]

1. can you cite a news source this info ?

I am more concerned that we are not finding creative ways to salvage the impulse gambling dollars and keep them here, than worrying if one company is getting a no bid contract.

Currently, we are rescuing zero dollars. I am not in favor of maintaining the status quo in Ohio.

Let them do the groundwork, then someone can take them to court or run an amendment petition to prevent no bid contracts.

Did you know that Tennessee has NO state income tax, they pay between 9% & 10% sales tax to support their entire state budget.

On April 15th, people in most counties & municipalities in Tennessee file just 1 TAX return, namely their federal tax return.

Why doesn't Ohio find ways to get there ?

[polticalpout]

2. It's a Amendment to the Constitution so there wouldn't be legal recourse to force it into a open bid

And that leaves a really bad taste in my mouth.

Here is the Amendment Ballot. I haven't found a news story outlining the facts as I have (which can be confirmed by reading through the Amendment)....maybe because it's only May?

http://myohionow.com/documents/PetitionApprovedByBallotBoard12212007.pdf

Side note: Ohio's budget is twice the size as Tennessee's and this Amendment Ballot would give, according to those pushing it, Ohio $211 million dollars in tax revenue, a drop in the bucket seeing how we have a $52 billion budget.