Category: Ohio

In a stunning setback for Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's proposed VLT (video lottery terminal) plan, the Ohio Supreme Court today voted 6-1 that any plan to authorize slot machines at Ohio race tracks requires a statewide referendum (ruling available in full here).

The Governor, who had attempted to implement the plan via executive order, had argued that the slot machine gambling fell within the jurisdiction of the Ohio Lottery. The conservative-backed LetOhioVote.org, however, successfully argued that the Governor and Legislature overstepped their authority in authorizing the plan.

Prior to today's ruling, the Governor had planned to have slots up and running by May, and the Legislature was relying on revenue from the machines to help balance the state's tottering budget by producing a projected $933 million in licensing fees and gambling revenues.

Today's ruling delays possible implementation of the slots plan until a referendum has been had, and orders Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner to accept and process petitions on the matter forthwith. LetOhioVote.org now must gather signatures to repeal the slots referendum (which appears automatically via provisions in the state constitution).

OhioDaily's interview with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka from Friday, September 18th at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Trumka is standing at the foot of a wind turbine built by union workers.

It was bound to happen.

The angry, out-of-control mobs trying to keep themselves organized without a clear purpose, clear agenda, or clear leadership structure are suddenly turning on each other and falling apart in the process. And it all started with a Jesus Bobblehead.

The Mansfield NewsJournal has a story from the weekend that should put a smile on every progressive face in Ohio. According to their story, there is bit of a problem with the Tea Party movement in Mansfield. Seems that the group has split into two competing groups. The first, Mansfield Tea Party Patriots, claims to be promoting smaller government, etc. The second group, Mansfield North Central Tea Party Association wants smaller government do, but has a different driving purpose - Christ. Oh, and according to their founder,"We also do social issues, including the Constitution, the Second Amendment, veterans issues, illegal immigration and abortion," she said. "We do taxes." (And people complain that Obama is trying to do too much)

The divide apparently began when members of the first group were offended by the number of atheists in the movement. And it all started with a bobblehead Jesus.