The State of Ohio is a weekly news program spotlighting the latest happenings at the Statehouse, in the Governor’s office, at the Ohio Supreme Court and throughout the Buckeye State. Award-winning host Karen Kasler presents viewers with unique analysis and thoughtful perspective on important issues of statewide interest through interviews with political leaders, newsmakers, experts and Ohio citizens. The State of Ohio is the only TV show to bring to Ohioans the latest news about taxes, voting, education and other critical matters from where it all happens -- Capitol Square.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Topics: Economy, Politics
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For the fifth time in two decades, Ohioans are deciding whether to expand gambling in Ohio. This time, the constitutional amendment known as Issue 3 would bring one casino each to Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. Issue 3’s backers say it will pay a 33 percent tax, which could generate more than $650 million dollars a year. And supporters say it will create 34,000 jobs and keep the millions of dollars Ohioans are already spending on gambling in other states here. But opponents say the tax rate is much lower than the rates paid in other states, that thousands of jobs could also be lost with casinos, and that there are serious concerns about who will build and pay for those casinos. They also say Issue 3 could ban church and other charitable gaming, and that the casinos will create addicts and cause more problems in a state that’s been suffering with foreclosure and budget issues for too long.

This week we feature the closing arguments for and against Issue 3, with Charlie Luken is the former mayor of Cincinnati and the chair of the Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee, which put Issue 3 on the ballot, and John O’Grady, a Franklin County Commissioner is a co-chairman of TruthPAC, the group opposing Issue 3.

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