NEWS
Ohio governor still pursuing slots compromise
Posted: Monday, July 06, 2009 3:00 PM
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland continues to seek a compromise in budget negotiations that include the possible legalization of slot machines at racetracks in the state.
The Youngstown Vindicator reports that Strickland would sign an executive order allowing slots if the state General Assembly agrees to amend existing law to legalize the machines.
Strickland told reporters on Monday that Senate Republicans have stalled progress. The General Assembly conducted hearings on Strickland’s proposal during the July 4 weekend. Republicans control the Senate while Democrats are the majority in the House.
“When someone not only refuses your proposals, but also refuses to put forward any solutions of their own, it's not a negotiation. It's game playing,” The Cleveland Plain-Dealer quoted Strickland as saying. “It saddens me to say that, while I have tried to advance a forward-looking budget agenda, Senate Republican leaders have retreated to partisan game playing.”
