Ohio has a new program called Learn and Earn. They want to raise money for education in their state, which is a terrific idea. This is the one thing that everyone can actually agree upon. However, it is the way they are looking to raise it that has everyone upset. They are calling for 3,500 slot machines to be added to each of seven existing racetracks. Petition circulators are going around getting signatures, but opponents say that the part about the slot machines seems to be getting lost somewhere in the back of the document.  

Opponents claim that although it may not be illegal, it is definitely an ethical question regarding the process of gaining approval for slot machines at said racetracks. They feel that they are approaching people with the idea of bringing in scholarships into the state, and then only talking about the slot machines if asked to do so. This leaves voters wondering what it is they are actually signing. Several voters who had been approached said they were only told about the slot machines after they continued to press the canvasser for answers as to how the scholarships would be funded. They admitted that slot machines would be the funding, but only after several other answers first.

The tactics may end up hurting the petitioners in the long run. Many people who were asked to sign agreed that they may have signed had the canvassers brought up slot machines when speaking about the scholarships. Most said they were not opposed to slot machines, or even gambling, but were angered by the way they were going about trying to get slot machine approval. Those that have already signed acknowledged that they didn’t even know slot machines were part of the plan. A court challenge has already been brought forth in Hamilton County, claiming that voters signed petitions regarding slot machines without being fully informed.

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