Voters are Stuck 

Ohiospan> residents that are against bringing in slot machines into their state are more than a little angry today. According to the state, they will not be able to bring a referendum to November's ballot to overturn the slot machines at racetracks across the state that Gov. Ted Strickland has brought in. This means that no matter how much they fight, they will not be able to overturn it  and slot machines are a done deal. 

According to the state there is a provision in the state's constitution that forbids referendums on appropriations for current expenses of the state government. This means that if you are against the idea of slot machines there is nothing you can do about it. Strickland is bringing in 17,500 slot machines and has made it part of the state budget, which is why they can't do anything to overturn the referendum.

Many residents were upset because they had voted in Strickland because he was against the idea of bringing in slot machines. However in June, he reversed his position and ordered the Ohio Lottery to bring in the slot machines at the seven racetracks. Experts say that the slot machines are expected to bring in roughly $933 million in revenue over the next two years. They say that without the slot machines the budget cannot be balanced.

The state's constitution says that all lottery revenue must go to public education, which means the slot machine money will go to that school fund. However, the Strickland has said that they will be taking money out of that find a balance other places in the state budget that are lacking.