Ohio Makes Deal, But No Friends

In the end, Governor Ted Strickland had to sign the executive order that brought the slot machines into the state. The Republicans refused to allow the slot machines to come into the tracks without either that or a vote from the people. Considering Ohioans have voted down the idea of slot machines several times before, you can bet they probably would not have brought them in this time either.
 
Experts say that the bringing in of slot machines may have sealed the deal for Strickland’s re-election. They say that he really went against what the majority of residents of his state wanted, and it could come back to bite him. However, Strickland, although not happy about signing the order, was pleased that the slot machines would be coming.
 
He is aware that even if it means that he is out of the state for good, he will have done good while he is there. He understands that the people don’t want slot machines, but they also don’t want higher taxes and that is exactly what would have happened had things kept going the way they were. There were too many programs that would not have been funded had the slot machines not been able to come in.
 
Now they say that instead of drastically cutting such programs like food banks and mental health programs they will be able to continue on. The libraries will still feel a big cut, but not as drastic as they would have. Experts say that residents need to look at the whole picture. In this economy there are people who want to say no to slot machines but they don’t want to lose their programs and they don’t want higher taxes – they say that you really can’t have it all, something has to give.

Back to Monthly Archive // Main Slot Machine News Index