Statement from Senate President Bill Harris Regarding Ohio Budget Negotiations

Regarding the Governor’s demands that the General Assembly authorize slot machines without a vote of the people, all of the following may be attributed to Senate President Bill Harris:
 
“We have been working day and night with the House and the Governor to balance our state budget and we have been making significant progress. Let’s be clear: The issue that divides us is whether or not the legislature should authorize expanded gambling without a vote of the people.
 
“I have acknowledged many times that the Governor has the authority to expand the lottery. He has done it before and should he decide to exercise his authority again in allowing VLTs at racetracks around the state, the Senate will account for the revenues to balance the budget.
 
“However, I cannot get past the fact that the voters of Ohio – our constituents -- have spoken on expanded gambling time and again. Asking the General Assembly to circumvent their will in such a short time frame when there has been no formal public debate and there are so many questions left unanswered is unreasonable.”
 
 
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