Public Policy Advocates

Budget Deal Announced, Conference Committee to Meet Monday

For a second straight week, it seemed that Governor Ted Strickland and Senate President Bill Harris would be unable reach an agreement regarding the installation of video lottery terminals at Ohio’s seven horse racing tracks.  This afternoon, the Governor, Speaker of the House and Senate President announced they had reached an agreement. Details on the agreement are limited, but the Governor will sign an Executive Order to authorize video lottery terminals (VLTs) at Ohio’s seven horse racing tracks. The legislature will include language in the budget bill that acknowledges the Ohio Lottery Commission’s authority to implement VLTs, and provides for a statutory definition as well as other implementation requirements. Concessions were made by the all parties in order to deliver a two-year balanced budget to Ohioans.  The Budget Conference Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, July 13th when the final budget document first becomes available. House and Senate floor votes are expected later Monday or possibly on Tuesday.  Lawmakers would like to have the bill ready for the Governor’s signature before the expiration of the second interim budget on Tuesday, July 14th.

Prior to this agreement, lawmakers had continued to struggle to find a satisfactory solution to the slots issue.  On Tuesday, Gov. Strickland received a letter from Sen. Harris that described a proposal that Harris said would provide “a bridge to reaching a consensus.”  The President of the Senate believed a constitutional amendment, subject to voter approval in November, was the best way to implement the slots proposal.  The constitutional amendment would authorize the use of VLTs in up to seven locations around the state.  Under this amendment, licenses to operate VLTs would be sold for no less than $65 million to any seven businesses, not necessarily reserved for the seven horse racetracks. 

Harris’ proposal was quickly rejected by the Governor and Democrats in the House.  Gov. Strickland said a constitutional amendment would fall way short of the legislature’s responsibility to provide a balanced budget.  Since the constitutional amendment would be subject to voter approval in November, there would be a four month window in which projected revenue from the slots would drop. There is no guarantee that voters would even approve the measure.  Speaker of the House Armond Budhish also dismissed the proposal saying it expanded gambling to more than just the seven horse racetracks and did not provide timely revenue for the current budget shortfall.

However, late Thursday evening, after almost two full days of closed door negotiations, legislative leaders appeared ready to strike a compromise that would place slots at Ohio’s horse racetracks without voter approval. 

Senate Votes on House Blood Donation Bill and Livestock Resolution

In an effort to maintain positive relations with the House, Senate President Bill Harris brought  HB 67 and HJR 2 to the floor for a vote on Monday.  HB 67 will help increase the state’s blood supply by allowing all 16 year-olds with their parents’ permission to donate blood.  Separately, HJR 2 will place a livestock care constitutional amendment on the November ballot.  The constitutional amendment, if passed, will create a board to develop standards for livestock care.  HB 67 was passed unanimously by a 32-0 vote.  Sen. Bob Gibbs won support for a floor amendment to HJR 2, which adds reference to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, gives the General Assembly the ultimate authority over the board, and prevents any efforts to override the original intent of the amendment.  By a 31-1 vote, the Senate approved HJR 2, which will now be sent back to the House for approval.