Ohio Supremes: Slots Issue Should Go To Ballot

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).

The issue will likely see the ballot in November 2010, but could appear as early as the May 2010 primary ballot.

As Justice Pfeifer's dissent from the majority opinion eloquently states, "The governor and the General Assembly have sown the wind, and now with a budget thrown into complete dissarray, we shall all reap the whirlwind." For the state, this delay means yet more lost revenues during a period when the state can ill afford shortfalls, and may signal additional budget cuts (and corresponding reductions in services).

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