The Learn and Earn group continues their fight to get on the November 7^th ballot with their initiative to bring slot machines to Ohio – with some of the proceeds of those slot machines going to funding scholarships for education. Today several political heavies weighed in against the initiative. US Senator George Voinovich (R, Ohio), Auditor Betty Montgomery, Attorney General Jim Petro, as well as others have launched their campaign to keep gambling and slot machines out of Ohio. 

They were quoted as saying they believe that the casinos and racetrack operators are looking to spend roughly $12 -15 million trying to get slot machines in the door now, and gambling tables later. "Do not be fooled," said Ms. Montgomery. "Learn and Earn's latest proposal, the one that seems to be the consensus proposal of differing gambling interests, is not an economic development tool. None of the revenue goes to state coffers. None addresses Ohio's budget problems. Certainly, none will give tax reductions to the citizens of the state of Ohio."  

The proposal they are fighting would bring 3,500 slot machines into Ohio, with 32% of the gross revenue going to college scholarships for top high school students, 13% going to local governments for economic development projects, gambling addiction programs, etc., and 55% going into the slot machine owners’ pockets. That amount is large enough, but then you take into consideration that it would go into their pockets tax-free, and it really gets crazy. The slot machine owners feel that the 45% coming off the top for these programs would essentially be a tax, so they don’t feel that they should have to pay any more than that.

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