In a stunningly disingenuous maneuver, Governor Strickland today announced his plan to combat Ohio's impending budget shortfall:
Gambling.
Though he called it an expansion of the lottery, his measure to introduce state-run video gambling machines in bars and taverns around Ohio is nothing short of a complete reversal from his position last August. At that time, he called these machines dangerous and said they would spawn criminal activity. Apparently, he now thinks they are the cure for Ohio's projected budget shortfall.
Senator George Voinovich reacted to the announcement with the following statement:
"The people have spoken and roundly defeated gambling in Ohio - with this governor's help," Sen. Voinovich said. "This is in no way an expansion of the lottery. From a public policy standpoint, I urge the legislature to reject this idea and do what I did when I was governor in this situation, which was to work harder and smarter and do more with less. This would be a foot in the door for full-blown gambling and, once that happens, Katie bar the door."
