3015 How to confuse a voter

Ohioans have two smoking issues on the ballot this November. Issue 4 is a proposed AMENDMENT to the Ohio Constitution which says it prohibits smoking in enclosed areas except tobacco stores, private residences or nonpublic facilities, separate smoking areas in restaurants, most bars, bingo and bowling facilities, separated areas of hotels and nursing homes, and race tracks.

If it passes, it would invalidate all the local and state laws that currently prohibit smoking (like our favorite restaurant). It is called "Smoke Less Ohio."

The second issue #5 is a proposed LAW which would prohibit smoking in public places and places of employment. It exempts certain locations, including private residences (unless it is used as a business), designated smoking rooms in hotels, motels and other facilities, designated smoking areas for nursing home residents, retail tobacco stores, outdoor patios, private clubs, and family owned businesses. It is called the "SmokeFree Workplace Act."

An Amendment trumps a Law, as I understand it. We have many local and municipal smoking ordinances to protect customers and employees of certain businesses.

No one hates smoking than I do. It is a killer and adds tremendously to our health care costs. However, I don't believe the SmokeFree people will stop with this Law. Eventually, they will try to make it illegal to smoke in your home or car. After protecting the workers, they will go after protecting the children (I can't imagine why idiots smoke with a child or pet trapped inside the car with them, but they do.) I'll vote for #5, but I think we can see what's coming. On the other hand, it is so pleasant to go out and not be choked by smoke and come home with stinky clothes.

Then another amendment to the constitution is to permit 31,500 slot machines at seven horse racing tracks and at two Cleveland non-track locations. This is called "Earn and Learn Initiative" because some of the money is earmarked for scholarships.

Doesn't that sound odd--even if you're a gambler? A constitutional amendment for 31,500 slot machines. Why not 32,000? Why not Cincinnati? This is being pushed on TV with ads that promise the money will go for college scholarships and grants to eligible students. But when you read the amendment, 55% goes to the casino owners and operators, only 30% for scholarships, and the rest is divided among local governments, race tracks and the gaming commission. What a rip off! The TV ads don't say a word about race tracks, only college scholarships.

"Charles J. Ruma, whose Beulah Park racetrack in Grove City made $778,000 last year, would reap most of an average $30 million annual windfall from slot machines if state Issue 3 passes.

And MTR Gaming Group, the owner of Scioto Downs on the South Side, would parlay a $1.3 million annual loss into an average $30 million-a-year income of its own.

If voters approve Issue 3, the so called Learn and Earn initiative, a handful of individuals and corporate interests behind Beulah Park, Scioto Downs, five other Ohio racetracks and two new betting parlors in Cleveland will divide an estimated $1.6 billion in revenue by 2012, according to proponents of the issue." [Columbus Dispatch]

gambling
smoking
smoking bans
greed
dishonesty