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Do IT this week: Layering
By Dennis J. Willard
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 12:06 a.m. EST, Nov 04, 2009
COLUMBUS: Two of three statewide issues passed easily Tuesday, with the third — to allow casinos in Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati — well ahead in the polls.
Jumping out to a clear lead, State Issue 3 benefited early from large blocks of votes from the urban counties, particularly Cleveland and Cincinnati.
As the night continued, however, and rural counties began reporting results, the wide margin of victory narrowed enough to keep both sides watching intently as votes continued to be counted.
At the same time the Issue 3 backers and opponents were on alert, Ohioans were giving their assent to selling bonds to pay veterans a bonus (Issue 1) and amending the Ohio Constitution to create a 13-member agricultural oversight panel to craft rules for the treatment of farm animals (Issue 2).
If the 53-47 percent lead holds for Issue 3, then Dan Gilbert, majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Penn National Gaming will have pulled off what other groups had failed to accomplish four times since 1990.
Bob Tenenbaum, an Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan spokesman supporting the casinos, said voters understood this was a serious proposal to create jobs and spur economic development in the state.
''We're very confident right now. We're not ready to call it, but we're close,'' Tenenbaum said shortly after 11 p.m.
Tom Smith, Ohio Council of Churches public policy director and an Issue 3 opponent, was not optimistic.
''I think they are ultimately going to win. We are closing the gap in some of the rural counties, but I don't think the numbers are enough to cover the votes in the larger cities,'' Smith said.
The passage of Issue 3 can be attributed to a clear message that apparently appealed to a majority of voters, particularly in the large counties where the casinos will be located.
Jobs promised
Backers promised construction jobs in the short term and casino jobs in the long run. The pro-casino campaign also effectively argued that gambling already was occurring within the state's borders and that nearby states were draining dollars and jobs from Ohio.
These simple messages seemed to resonate in a state that has been bleeding jobs since the turn of the century.
In addition to positioning the casinos in counties with large numbers of votes, the proponents also ran a strong campaign that included getting endorsements from major unions, the Fraternal Order of Police, local politicians, including mayors in all site cities except Columbus, and the NAACP chapters in urban centers.
Although three groups were on record against the issue, the most active organization was funded by MTR Gaming, which operates casinos in West Virginia and is partly owned by Jeff Jacobs, who was behind recent failed efforts to expand gambling in Ohio.
Livestock board
Issue 2 amends the Ohio Constitution to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, which would be empowered to write agricultural rules in the state.
Backed by the Ohio Farm Bureau, the amendment was a pre-emptive strike against the the Humane Society of the United States, which wants farmers to change the living conditions for laying hens, veal calves and breeding pigs to allow the animals to stand, sit, spread their appendages and turn around.
The proponents raised millions of dollars for advertising and other campaign tactics to build support for the issue. The opposition was poorly funded.
Robert Boggs, Ohio Department of Agriculture director, applauded the amendment's passage and said he looks forward to chairing the livestock board.
''The diverse group of experts serving on this board, together with Ohio's citizens, will work to create a fair, uniform set of standards that ensure the safe and humane treatment of the state's livestock and poultry, therefore sustaining the viability of Ohio's family farmers and assuring safe, affordable food for all citizens,'' Boggs said.
Wayne Pacelle, the U.S. Humane Society's president and chief executive, said the farm bureau and other agribusiness lobbying groups pushed for the measure to block true reform.
Pacelle said his group decided against wasting money to defeat Issue 2 and instead will devote its resources to a future effort, possibly another ballot issue, to phase out extreme confinement for animals.
Bonuses to veterans
Issue 1, which would give bonuses to Persian Gulf, Afghan and Iraqi conflict veterans, was passing by a 3-1 ratio.
The new Ohio Department of Veteran Services will be allowed to sell up to $200 million in bonds for a new compensation bond retirement fund.
Eligible recipients include any veteran, and certain survivors, who served at any time during those conflicts, regardless of whether their tours of duty included action in-country or support from stateside.
The bonuses will include $50 for each month of active domestic or foreign duty, and $100 per month for duty in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan or Iraq.
Veterans who are medically discharged or medically retired would be eligible for $1,000.
Gov. Ted Strickland had pushed to provide bonuses, but there was an ongoing dispute over whether to sell bonds and go into debt to raise the money or to write the checks from the state treasury.
Going to the voters for a decision was a compromise.
Dennis J. Willard can be reached at 614-224-1613 or dwillard@thebeaconjournal.com.
COLUMBUS: Two of three statewide issues passed easily Tuesday, with the third — to allow casinos in Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati — well ahead in the polls.
Jumping out to a clear lead, State Issue 3 benefited early from large blocks of votes from the urban counties, particularly Cleveland and Cincinnati.
As the night continued, however, and rural counties began reporting results, the wide margin of victory narrowed enough to keep both sides watching intently as votes continued to be counted.
At the same time the Issue 3 backers and opponents were on alert, Ohioans were giving their assent to selling bonds to pay veterans a bonus (Issue 1) and amending the Ohio Constitution to create a 13-member agricultural oversight panel to craft rules for the treatment of farm animals (Issue 2).
If the 53-47 percent lead holds for Issue 3, then Dan Gilbert, majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Penn National Gaming will have pulled off what other groups had failed to accomplish four times since 1990.
Bob Tenenbaum, an Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan spokesman supporting the casinos, said voters understood this was a serious proposal to create jobs and spur economic development in the state.
''We're very confident right now. We're not ready to call it, but we're close,'' Tenenbaum said shortly after 11 p.m.
Tom Smith, Ohio Council of Churches public policy director and an Issue 3 opponent, was not optimistic.
''I think they are ultimately going to win. We are closing the gap in some of the rural counties, but I don't think the numbers are enough to cover the votes in the larger cities,'' Smith said.
The passage of Issue 3 can be attributed to a clear message that apparently appealed to a majority of voters, particularly in the large counties where the casinos will be located.
Jobs promised
Backers promised construction jobs in the short term and casino jobs in the long run. The pro-casino campaign also effectively argued that gambling already was occurring within the state's borders and that nearby states were draining dollars and jobs from Ohio.
These simple messages seemed to resonate in a state that has been bleeding jobs since the turn of the century.
In addition to positioning the casinos in counties with large numbers of votes, the proponents also ran a strong campaign that included getting endorsements from major unions, the Fraternal Order of Police, local politicians, including mayors in all site cities except Columbus, and the NAACP chapters in urban centers.
Although three groups were on record against the issue, the most active organization was funded by MTR Gaming, which operates casinos in West Virginia and is partly owned by Jeff Jacobs, who was behind recent failed efforts to expand gambling in Ohio.
Livestock board
Issue 2 amends the Ohio Constitution to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, which would be empowered to write agricultural rules in the state.
Backed by the Ohio Farm Bureau, the amendment was a pre-emptive strike against the the Humane Society of the United States, which wants farmers to change the living conditions for laying hens, veal calves and breeding pigs to allow the animals to stand, sit, spread their appendages and turn around.
The proponents raised millions of dollars for advertising and other campaign tactics to build support for the issue. The opposition was poorly funded.
Robert Boggs, Ohio Department of Agriculture director, applauded the amendment's passage and said he looks forward to chairing the livestock board.
''The diverse group of experts serving on this board, together with Ohio's citizens, will work to create a fair, uniform set of standards that ensure the safe and humane treatment of the state's livestock and poultry, therefore sustaining the viability of Ohio's family farmers and assuring safe, affordable food for all citizens,'' Boggs said.
Wayne Pacelle, the U.S. Humane Society's president and chief executive, said the farm bureau and other agribusiness lobbying groups pushed for the measure to block true reform.
Pacelle said his group decided against wasting money to defeat Issue 2 and instead will devote its resources to a future effort, possibly another ballot issue, to phase out extreme confinement for animals.
Bonuses to veterans
Issue 1, which would give bonuses to Persian Gulf, Afghan and Iraqi conflict veterans, was passing by a 3-1 ratio.
The new Ohio Department of Veteran Services will be allowed to sell up to $200 million in bonds for a new compensation bond retirement fund.
Eligible recipients include any veteran, and certain survivors, who served at any time during those conflicts, regardless of whether their tours of duty included action in-country or support from stateside.
The bonuses will include $50 for each month of active domestic or foreign duty, and $100 per month for duty in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan or Iraq.
Veterans who are medically discharged or medically retired would be eligible for $1,000.
Gov. Ted Strickland had pushed to provide bonuses, but there was an ongoing dispute over whether to sell bonds and go into debt to raise the money or to write the checks from the state treasury.
Going to the voters for a decision was a compromise.
Dennis J. Willard can be reached at 614-224-1613 or dwillard@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Akron, Oh
Posted 07:09 AM, 11/04/2009
Now that we have legalized Casinos in the name of profit it is time we also legalize prostitution & mary jane....then this State can truly become a place of destination...tax it and we will prosper !
