“Horse Racing Tracks Consider Asking Voters for Help - 6/12/2010” plus 1 more |
| Horse Racing Tracks Consider Asking Voters for Help - 6/12/2010 Posted: 12 Jun 2010 04:02 PM PDT
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Horse racing tracks in Ohio are considering a push for a 2011 ballot issue that would ask voters to repeal the casino bill signed this week by Gov. Ted Strickland. The bill sets rules for the state's four planned casinos, which the financially struggling tracks fear will further hurt their business. The tracks would need 240,000-plus signatures to get the matter before voters. Placing it on the ballot could stall the opening of the casinos, which were approved by voters last year. A separate proposal before voters this November seeks to stop Strickland's plan to place slot machines at the racetracks. The track owners hope to convince the backers of that issue to withdraw it by an Aug. 24 deadline. A spokeswoman says Strickland intends to ask a court for a judgment to place slot machines at tracks if necessary. --- Five Filters featured article: Headshot - Propaganda, State Religion and the Attack On the Gaza Peace Flotilla. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. | ||
| Horse tracks consider casino ballot push Posted: 12 Jun 2010 07:07 PM PDT Horse racing tracks in Ohio are considering a push for a 2011 ballot issue that would ask voters to repeal the casino bill recently signed by Gov. Ted Strickland. The bill sets rules for the state's four planned casinos, which the financially struggling tracks fear will further hurt their business. Putting the matter on the ballot could stall the opening of the casinos, which were approved by voters last year for Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo. The tracks would need 240,000-plus signatures to get the issue before voters. The bill signed by Strickland Thursday does not become law for 90 days, giving the tracks a window to circulate petitions. "We're exploring all of our legal and constitutional options," said David Paragas, a lobbyist for the Equine Agricultural Coalition who represents four of Ohio's seven horse tracks. A separate proposal before voters this November seeks to stop a plan Strickland proffered last year to place lottery-run video slot machines at the racetracks in an effort to plug an $850 million budget hole. The track owners hope to convince the group behind that referendum to withdraw it by an Aug. 24 deadline so the racetrack slots plan can move forward. Horse tracks would rather work with casino supporters than against them, said Jack Hanessian, general manager of the River Downs track in Cincinnati. "I don't think it's the wisest thing to do," he said, referring to the possible 2011 ballot issue, "but it's a way of delaying what they are doing. It's leverage to get them to give up their referendum." If racetracks try to fight the casino rules, it could lead to delays in the licensing and opening of the casinos as well as a delay in the creation of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, which is to regulate the casino industry, Hanessian said. Strickland spokeswoman Amanda Wurst said the governor intends to ask a common pleas court for a judgment that would place slot machines at tracks if necessary. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Five Filters featured article: Headshot - Propaganda, State Religion and the Attack On the Gaza Peace Flotilla. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. | |||
Horse Racing Tracks Consider Asking Voters for Help - 6/12/2010
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