DCMP on 
Dana Porter on 
Today, those who approve of slot machines at horse racing tracks were at the statehouse in support of a proposal that would permit slot machines at Ohio’s remaining venues. Two state lawmakers appear to differ on who should be the deciding factor.
As lawmakers appeared to soften their position on gambling, hundreds of horse enthusiasts rallied at the Statehouse this morning for a plan that would allow slot machines at the state’s seven racetracks.
The Columbus Dispatch
But the Dispatch only quotes two lawmaker’s. Both Republican’s. One is a powerful house leader who does not soften at all, the other is a first term representative with little clout.
The first is Bill Harris.
… a longtime gambling opponent, Senate President Bill M. Harris, today signaled flexibility on the issue.
Harris, R-Ashland, said today that while he doesn’t want a gambling proposal placed into the state budget, he is more receptive to giving Ohioans the opportunity to approve a plan.
The Columbus Dispatch
After four tries at the ballot box, slot machine proponents are trying to bypass the electorate and go straight to the general assembly. All Harris is saying is he wants to put it back on the voters who have defeated such proposals four times. Does that sound like softening.
The more fervent legislator is Terry Blair.
“This is not about gambling,” said state Rep. Terry Blair, R-Washington Township. “You can read the newspaper about gambling. Every shallow-minded newspaper person thinks this is about gambling. It’s about 16,000 jobs.”
The Columbus Dispatch
I agree it’s not about gambling, it’s about money. As I’ve said before, in today’s society horse racing is boring. Unless it’s the Kentucky Derby, The Preakness, or The Belmont, very few people care. The people who want to bring gambling to our state are not gamblers, they are businessmen who want to make a profit. Do you really think that after slot machines are in place for a few years they are not going to phase back the operations of a loss leader like horse racing? There go your 16,000 jobs Representative Blair. But now we have in place something Ohioans have rejected four times… slot machines.
Find The Madrigal Maniac