Secretary of State Ken Blackwell announced yesterday that the group Learn and Earn did not have enough signatures to put the slot machine initiative on the ballot for November. This is disappointing to the group, but they are not ready to give up yet. The group had turned in 625,000 signatures, but it was determined that more than half of the signatures were not valid. 

They have ten days to get the remainder of the signatures, and the group is more than confident. Ian James, a spokesperson for the Learn and Earn group said that they have already collected more signatures, and are prepared to bring in almost 50,000 more. They are determined that they will make it on the ballot, and the opposition agrees with them. They think that the group will make it to the ballot, but they are hopeful that the slot machine initiative will not pass.  

If the measure passes, they would get permission to bring in 3,500 slot machines at each of seven racetracks and two more Cleveland locations. The revenue would be split up among several things, with the main one being 30% to scholarships for top high school students so that they can attend in-state schools. Another 15% would go to programs to help those with gambling addictions, as well as governmental programs, and larger horse-racing purses.

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