Too Long…

This post will be too long, but please take the time to read it. It is extremely important. Next Tuesday is Election Day. There are three issues on the Ohio ballet. Do you understand the issues? Let me help if I can. If you don’t live in Ohio, I encourage you to find out more about the issues on your ballet. Voting is a key right all Americans have and if you are not an educated voter, you are not taking full advantage of your rights.

Issue 1-my take on it. Veterans rock! Love them, love that they were willing to go out and say, “Yes, I will defend America”. However, this issue is too vague for me, I want to know exactly how much money will but placed on future taxes to cover the cost of this issue. The issue does not provide a clear indication of current money used and future taxes that could be created to cover this issue. My vote will be NO for Issue 1. My suggestion to the writes of the issue, go back, try again, and provide more clear detail on where the money will be coming from exactly.

Issue 2-this one hits a little too close to home. This issue wants to establish an Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. This board will establish the standards governing the care and well-being of livestock in Ohio. I will be voting YES for this issue. A no vote for this issue will give the power to a national animal rights organization and take away the power from Ohioans. Let an Ohio Board set the standard, a board with a variety of individuals, not an animal rights organization not even based in Ohio. Based on the standard this national animal rights organization has set in Michigan, they are too extreme, too expensive; a no vote on this issue will put Ohio Farmers out of business. Ohio has lost too many jobs already, please do not take away more, VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 This issue is listed below with the opinions of those for and against all information taken from the Ohio League of Women Voters, you make your decision.

Issue 3—the casino issue. Gambling is fun; it can get to be too much for many. I voted against this issue the first time. I will vote YES on ISSUE 3 this time. Why? 34,000 jobs, no they will not happen all at once and many will go away after the building is done, however, Ohio needs jobs, there will be construction jobs straight away if this is approved. Other jobs will be created when the casinos open. No, an Ohioan is not likely be the main manager of a casino, why, well because the casinos are going to bring in someone with experience to run their casino, however, they will be tons of jobs on the floor in the hotels etc. They will be Ohioans, why would a casino go so far away to hire which is what opponents want you to think. I work with students majoring in Hospitality Management. One of Ohio’s growing problems is we educate tons of college graduates, but we cannot keep them in Ohio because there are no jobs. Keep these Hospitality Management grads in Ohio working at these casinos and hotels near the casinos. Also, you know someone who works at an Ohio Library? They are in danger again of closing because the Governor’s budget was ruled uncostiutional, voting yes on this issue will help keep those librarians working and libraries open to the public. I also believe Ohio will be placing taxes on these casinos and this tax money will help fund libraries and other public funded concerns.

The issues are listed below with the opinions of those for and against all information taken from the Ohio League of Women Voters, you make your decision.


ISSUE 1: PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE TO ISSUE BONDS TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION TO VETERANS
OF THE PERSIAN GULF, AFGHANISTAN, AND IRAQ CONFLICTS
(Proposed by Joint Resolution of the General Assembly of Ohio)

To adopt Section 2r of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio

A YES vote means approval of the amendment.
A NO vote means disapproval of the amendment.
A majority YES vote is required for the amendment to be adopted.

If approved, this proposed amendment shall take effect immediately.

League Explanation of Issue 1: This ballot issue proposes a constitutional amendment that would provide compensation to veterans serving during the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts. The amendment is similar to the bond issues passed by the voters to compensate veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam conflict. It will provide the state with the authority to issue up to $200 million of bonds. The Ohio treasurer has estimated that only $106 million of the bond proceeds might actually be needed. All bonds must be issued by December 31, 2013. Repayment of these bonds would be a general obligation of the state backed by the taxing power of the state. Revenue from these bonds would be used to provide additional compensation as follows:
· Payment may be made to Ohio residents who have served on active duty in the United States armed forces between August 2, 1990 and March 3, 1991, which was the duration of the Persian Gulf conflict; between October 7, 2001 and the end of the United States’ involvement in Afghanistan; and between March 19, 2003 and the end of the United States’ involvement in Iraq.
· Veterans who served domestically or in foreign service in locations other than the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or Iraq may receive $50 for each month served up to a maximum of $500.
· Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or Iraq may receive $100 for each month served up to a maximum of $1000, or may receive $1000 if medically discharged due to combat-related disabilities.
· If a person died as a result of injuries sustained in Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or Iraq service, that person’s family may receive $5000.
· If a person is missing in action or held in enemy captivity, that person’s family may receive $5000.
The Legislative Services Commission estimates that issuing $200 million of obligations could increase the state’s annual debt service expense by up to $18 million. The voters must approve this bonding authority because the Ohio constitution does not permit an appropriation being made for a period longer than two years.

Proponents of the proposed amendment argue that:
1. Passing the amendment by vote of the people shows that Ohioans appreciate Ohio veterans.
2. The payments will ease veterans’ transition back into civilian life.

Opponents of the proposed amendment argue that:
Tax monies will be diverted to paying principle and interest, and this may limit the availability of state revenue for other state programs during a period of financial crisis.
Future taxpayers will be responsible for the debt incurred for these payments. The payments should be paid for by revenues available in the current biennium.



ISSUE 2: PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
TO CREATE THE OHIO LIVESTOCK CARE STANDARDS BOARD
(Proposed by Joint Resolution of the General Assembly of Ohio)

To enact Section 1 of Article XIV of the Ohio Constitution

A YES vote means approval of the amendment.
A NO vote means disapproval of the amendment.
A majority YES vote is required for the amendment to be adopted.

If approved, this proposed amendment will be effective immediately.

League Explanation of Issue 2:
· This proposed constitutional amendment would create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board for the purpose of establishing standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in Ohio.
· The bipartisan board would consist of thirteen members:
o The director of the state department that regulates agriculture
o Ten members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, including:
§ One member representing family farms
§ One member knowledgeable about food safety
§ Two members representing statewide organizations that represent farmers
§ One member who is a veterinarian
§ The State Veterinarian in the state department that regulates agriculture
§ The dean of the agriculture department of a college or university in Ohio
§ Two members of the public representing Ohio consumers
§ One member representing a county humane society
o One member appointed by the Speaker of the House who shall be a family farmer
o One member appointed by the President of the Senate who shall be a family farmer
· The Board would have authority to establish standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in Ohio, subject only to the authority of the General Assembly.

Proponents of the proposed amendment argue that:
1. The board represents a balance of interests.
2. The board would establish standards governing the care and well being of livestock and
poultry in Ohio.
3. Ohioans can have greater confidence in the safety of locally produced food.

Opponents of the proposed amendment argue that:
1. The board should be created by statute rather than by amendment to the Ohio Constitution.
2. Creating another regulatory board utilizes revenues best spent on basic services to Ohioans.
3. The amendment could prevent certain animal care reform proposed by national animal rights
organizations.



ISSUE 3: PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
TO AUTHORIZE A CASINO IN CLEVELAND, COLUMBUS,
CINCINNATI, AND TOLEDO, OHIO
(Proposed by Initiative Petition)

To add a new Section 6a to Article XV of the Ohio Constitution

A YES vote means approval of the amendment.
A NO vote means disapproval of the amendment.
A majority YES vote is required for the amendment to be adopted.

If approved, the proposed amendment will take effect 30 days after the election.

League Explanation of Issue 3: This amendment would authorize four casinos, one each in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo, located on particular parcels of land owned by private individuals.
1. The operator would be required to pay a tax of 33% annually on gross casino receipts. “Gross casino receipts” excludes payments to winners. The tax revenue would be allocated in the following ways:
· 51% to the 88 counties on a pro rata basis, with 50% of the county’s distribution going to the county’s most populated city if it had a population of greater than 80,000 as of the 2000 United States census.
· 34% to public school districts in proportion to their public school district populations.
· 5% to the host city where the casino that generated the revenue is located.
· 3% to fund the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
· 3% to a fund supporting purses, breeding programs and operations at existing horse racetracks.
· 2% to fund a state law enforcement training program.
· 2% to fund treatment of problem gambling and substance abuse.
2. The Ohio Casino Control Commission would license and regulate casino operators, management companies, key employees and all gaming. The commission would have 7 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
3. Each casino operator must make a minimum initial investment of $250 million.
4. The initial license fee of $50 million for each casino will fund state economic development programs.
5. Each casino could operate 24 hours a day. Each casino may have a maximum of 5000 slot machines. Each casino may conduct any type of card or table games, slot machines or electronic gaming devices permitted by states adjacent to Ohio, except bingo, and horse racing where the pari-mutuel system of wagering is conducted.

Proponents of the proposed amendment argue that:
Thirty-eight states—including Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia—have casino gambling.
By authorizing casinos in Ohio, the profits could benefit our state rather than other states.
3. Counties, public school districts, and many cities will receive tax revenue
generated by the casinos, and each can decide how to best spend its money.
4. The casinos will create 34,000 new jobs in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo.
5. The casinos will stimulate the economy by adding restaurants, hotels and ancillary businesses.

Opponents of the proposed amendment argue that:
The Ohio general revenue fund, which supports basic services for Ohioans, will get $0 from the gross casino receipts tax.
Ohio lottery profits, currently dedicated to education, may decrease because people will gamble at the casinos instead of playing the lottery.
Ohioans may spend money at the casinos they would have spent at other existing Ohio businesses such as restaurants, movies, or sports events, adversely impacting those businesses.
The number of gambling addicts in Ohio would increase, and the tax receipts dedicated to providing treatment for addicts could be insufficient.
The proposed amendment could be construed to mean that all games allowed at the casinos can be played only at the casinos, eliminating church-festival poker games and casino nights sponsored by charitable groups.


Websites
In support of the proposed amendment: Cops for Casinos http://copsforcasinos.com/
In opposition to the proposed amendment: Vote NO Casinos Committee, TruthPAC www.truthpac.org/