Ohio House approves resolution to relocate Columbus casino…It will be on May ballot
This just in via e-mail from the Franklin County Delegation of the Ohio House of Representatives, updated at 6:09 p.m. to include a statement via e-mail from the office of Governor Ted Strickland:
Ohio House Approves Casino Relocation Resolution
Ohio voters to decide location for Columbus Casino
COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives this afternoon approved a resolution that will allow voters across Ohio to change the location for the Columbus casino.
Voters last fall approved an Ohio Constitutional amendment that allows casinos to be built in 4 cities in the state including Columbus, but objections to the designated Arena District site led to an effort to find a different location. The resolution authorizes a Columbus casino on the site of the former Delphi plant on the west side.
Senate Joint Resolution 8 has already been approved by the Ohio Senate, and with this afternoon’s bipartisan 71-26 House vote it now will be on the May 2010 statewide ballot.
“I sponsored the House version of this measure to allow voters to relocate the Columbus casino to the Delphi site because it has been welcomed by many local community and business groups with the potential to create many jobs in an area that desperately needs it,” stated Rep. Ted Celeste.
“This is about jobs and economic development on the Westside and redeveloping an abandoned factory site. This plant has been vacant for years and could have been for decades to come,” said Rep. Dan Stewart. “The economic development this will bring to the area is desperately needed.”
“I am pleased that all parties have been able to reach consensus on the casino location in Franklin County,” said Rep. Marian Harris. “I’m looking forward to the groundbreaking!”
“This is an important step in the process of getting ‘shovels in the ground’ to bring much needed jobs and businesses to a struggling area of Franklin County,” said Rep. Nancy Garland. “I commend the City of Columbus, Penn National, the leaders of the group ‘West Side is the Best Side’ and the other elected officials who have worked to get the amendment to move the casino. Now we all need to work together to make this a reality by passing the amendment in May.”
Governor Statement on the Passage of SJR8, the Columbus Casino Address Change
Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today made the following statement on the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 8, the resolution allowing Columbus to change its casino site on the May ballot:
“The Ohio Legislature’s strong bipartisan support for this ballot proposal speaks volumes. Those who have studied this proposal agree it is a common sense solution that works for the City of Columbus and in no way changes or harms the casino development already approved by voters for the cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo.
“While this initiative asks Ohioans to support a simple address change for the planned Columbus casino development, it will in fact mean the revitalization of a former GM Delphi auto-parts plant that has been vacant for years on Columbus’ West Side. It is my hope that Ohioans will support this proposal slated for the ballot in May.”
While I have posted numerous times on Issue 3, you have have been all over the issue. Thanks.
I’m still against the the casino’s. the license fee is too low as is the tax rate.
Still, if municipalities can tailor the constitutional amendment to cause less of a burden to their communities, I’m all for it.
I realize this may lead to numerous constitutional amendment initiatives. That is why I believe the next constitutional amendment should be a redefinition of the constitutional amendment section of the Ohio constitution.
This should have come from a legislative initiative. The Ohio constitution should be more in line with the U.S Constitution in this regard.
Still, this is what we have. If Toledo wanted to place a constitutional initiative on the ballot that benefited the citizens of Toledo, I would vote for it.
I hope there is not a backlash against Columbus. Again, while I am not happy with our new constitutional amendment, this alternative is better for Columbus.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:44 pmDamn. I always forget to check that box that says “Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.” Now I have.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:47 pmlol Madrigal, I have to thank the members of the General Assembly for their e-mails, they deserve part of the credit for why I’m on top of this issue.
I don’t disagree with your comments at all, on both the actual original substance of the constitutional amendment or the fear/concern there will be an anti-Columbus sentiment involved in the vote.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:52 pmI’m still heavily against Issue 3. Legal cartels created buy the state is bad for everyone, except those on the take of course, which isn’t you or I.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:07 am