NO ON OHIO ISSUE 3!!
This is one of those really irritating and offensive aspects of politics. It is so ridiculous that this proposal is even on the ballot to be part of the Ohio CONSTITUTION. The proposal should be in the form of a law not a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENEDMENT to grant a monopoly on casino business to a few people. The people of Ohio would receive only a few drops of benefit from the flood of profits into the bank accounts of a few private businesses. It's so unbalanced that clearly those responsible have some ownership interest in these few businesses that would benefit. Let's have a look...This amendment to the Constitution would: Permit up to 31,500 slot machines at seven horse racing tracks and at two Cleveland non-track locations. Permit expanded gaming in the four Cuyahoga County locations if approved by the county's voters.

A state constitution is not meant to bestow a benefit (or detriment depending onhow you look at it) onto a select few of its residents. Look at this carefully, slot machines will only be allowed, by CONSTITUTIONAL LAW at 7 horse racing tracks and 2 non-track locations in Cleveland and 4 locations in Cuyahoga County. Since this is the Constitution, that is the maximum number of slot machine locations Ohio will ever have. If you live anywhere else in Ohio and wish to enter the casino gambling business at some future point, it will take a Constitutional Amendment to allow a slot machine to be placed in another location other than the 13 specified. Not because gambling is illegal in Ohio, because it won't be, but because it can only be done in 13 specific locations.

By CONSTITUTIONAL LAW the revenues would be distributed as follows: 55%to the slot and casino owners and operators. 30% to the Board of Regents for college scholarships and grants to eligible students andadministration of the program. The remaining revenues to be divided among local governments, race tracks for purse money, gambling addiction services, and The administration of the Gaming Integrity Commissioncomprised of five members appointed by the governor and the majority legislative leaders. The moneys provided by this amendment are to supplement and not supplant existing and future constitutional obligations to post-secondary education and local governments.

Proponents say: Arguments for passage:1. Ohioans are now going out of state to gamble, and Ohio is losing taxrevenue to neighboring states. This amendment would keep such revenues in the state. 2. Scholarships for higher education in Ohio would help to offset the high costs associated with earning a degree. 3. Eight percent of the gross proceeds would go to local governments for economic development activities. 4. One percent of the gross proceeds would support gambling addiction services. 5. Funding for scholarships and grants provided through this amendment is intended to supplement, not supplant, funds the General Assembly is obligated to provide for such purposes.

Let's look at all of these arguments in turn:
1. Proponents are unable to see the forest for the trees. How much of an impact will these gambling revenues have on Ohio? 55% of the revenue goes to the casino owners. 55%! More than half! What's more, these revenues, all 55% of them, go to the casino owners tax-free! (Free of state and local taxes.) The Constitution will specifically deprive the state of Ohio of its richest revenue source from by handing out revenues tax free to a few specific companies. Are those companies even located in Ohio? Will they be spending their revenues in Ohio?
2. Education! Ohio kids need help paying for college! Yes, they do, but the scholarships provided for with the money, 30% of revenues less administrative costs, will be available only the top five percent of students graduating from accredited public or non-public high schools. Only the top 5%. The ones who have the best shot at scholarships anyway. 95% of Ohio high school students will receive no benefit from the tax revenues.
3. Local governments will get 8% of the revenues for economic development (of low-paying jobs for the high school grads not in the top 5% who can't afford college??). Which local governments? All Ohio local governments or just those where the slot machines are located? I suppose this is to take the place of the state and local income tax we are foregoing on the 55% of the revenues the casino companies get. So, 55% to private casino owners. 8% to government/people of Ohio.
4. But it will help the very people pouring money into it! 1% of revenue to gambling addiction programs. So, 55% private owners, 8% government/people, 1% gambling recovery.

Ohio does not need a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT to benefit a few casino owners. I'm not opposed to legal gambling in Ohio, but I am opposed to a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT that will benefit only a few people who may not even live in Ohio.
It is telling that a few casino owners and 2 Cleveland business men have put over $25 million into the campaign to pass Issue 3. Clearly they see a return, to themselves, of well over $25 million from the Constitutional monopoly they would gain from this. The Ohio Constitution should be for all Ohioans. Not a few business interests.

I took a long weekend and went to Ottawa, Canada to visit my brother, sister-in-law and my 4-year-old niece. It's nice to get away for awhile, even if the weather isn't terrific. I always look forward to the entertaining antics of a four-year-old and shopping at Roots. Why is it that we are so often seized with the urge to shop when away from home? Even if the stores are different, most clothing is at least similar in style. Whenever I go to Ottawa, I must stop at the Roots clearance store, not far from their house. Roots is a Canadian clothing company which makes very nice sportswear and casual clothes. The prices at their clearance center are merely reasonable - nothing like the bargain basement prices at the Gap outlet. But, hey, its hard to find Roots here and there clothes generally are very nice and well made. But then, as I was packing for the trip, I found the Ikea gift card my sister-in-law had given me for Christmas. Since Cincinnati lacks an Ikea for the time being, we had to go shopping there, too. Reasonable enough since I don't otherwise have easy access to Ikea. (Yes, everything is available on the Internet, but its not the same.) But that was it! Ikea and Roots. I didn't come here to shop. Well P(my sister-in-law) had to return something at Winners - a Canadian TJ Maxx with slightly nicer stuff. So I browsed while she returned and found a lovely corduroy blazer. And since we were in the area she wanted to check Carriere for some new clothes for the office. Carriere is one of those stores where you go straight to the sale racks in the back. She didn't find anything, but I got a lovely pumpkin-colored wrap sweater.
On Monday I went downtown for the afternoon, intending to visit some museums, something else I seem to do more of on vacation than at home. The photography museum was temporarily closed due to construction but the exhibits were on display at the National Gallery for the time being. I vaguely remembered where the National Gallery was, but also thought that, since I'm in the nation's capital, if I walk around long enough I'm sure to run into a museum eventually. My instincts were right and past Revenue Canada (like the Canadian IRS) and the American Embassy, I came upon the National Gallery. I was a little put off by the giant sculpture of a spider in front, but started across the plaza anyway. But wait, what does that little sandwich board sign say? The National Gallery is closed on Mondays! My artsy, non-shopping, afternoon was not meant to be! Downtown Ottawa has a lovely shopping and entertainment area called The Market. In addition to farm and flower stands, there are casual dining places, souvenir shops, restaurants and boutique shopping. The latter category includes another favorite Canadian company, LUSH. (www.lush.com) Lush sells "fresh handmade cosmetics." They are really fresh. And rather than cosmetics its mostly soaps, shampoos, bath bombs and other yummy things I don't really need. And although I didn't need anything, of course I had to look, and looking leads to buying. I really did not come here to shop! Luckily, by the time I went into The Bay and the huge adjoining mall, I was no longer in the mood. The only thing I went into the bookstore for was a coffee (bookstores are really bad places for me to not shop) and it was time to go.
Besides hanging out with my family, my niece is soooo cute, travel to Ottawa is special in other ways. Returning to the US is easy since US Customs is located at the Ottawa airport and you clear it all before boarding the plane. This used to be an important timesaver when I had connecting flights but now, Delta flies direct from CVG to Ottawa. Thank You Delta and its new affiliate ASA! I love direct flights!
One more bit of travel advice from this trip...don't bring a snowglobe in your carry on bags. There is that whole restriction on liquids thing now, and it completely slipped my mind. Luckily, security, after consulting 3 other people, didn't think I was a threat and let me keep it. (FYI - it was a birthday gift from my niece to her grandpa.) Sometimes it pays to look so sweet and innocent.