Lawmakers Delay Casino Bill Vote

State lawmakers have delayed a decision on a provision to require counties to spend at least half of their casino tax revenue on public safety. The provision had the support of police unions and sheriffs. But was strongly opposed by the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) as well as some lawmakers who questioned whether the provision would be legal.

If the state's new casinos live up to estimates, there will be close to $650 million in tax revenue to split up among counties, schools, cities and others. The constitutional amendment approved by voters  specifies the distribution of the tax revenue.

• 51 percent among all 88 counties in proportion to such counties' respective populations. Half of each county's distribution will go to its largest city if that city's population is above 80,000.
• 34 percent among all public school districts
• 5 percent among all host cities
• 3 percent to the Ohio casino control commission
• 3 percent to the Ohio state racing commission fund
• 2 percent to a state law enforcement training fund
• 2 percent to a state problem gambling and addictions fund

A provision introduced in the House of Representatives would require counties use at least 50 percent of their funds for public safety. The CCAO, in a news release, called the move a “legislative attempt to micro-manage the counties’ expenditure of unrestricted revenue allocated to the counties under a Constitutional provision.”

A number of lawmakers also had concerns about whether the provision might violate the constitutional amendment. State Representative Bill Patmon, (D) Cleveland, predicted the amendment will fail. “I think it's spelled out in the constitution what you can do with gambling proceeds. Fifty one percent goes to counties and they do what they need to do with it."

Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott says after county commissioners trimmed his budget, he would welcome the additional funds. "From my position, from sheriffs all over the state, finally we would have money dedicated to public safety.

Franklin County has already designated 25 percent of its casino revenue to pay for its share of the public purchase of Nationwide Arena. The legislative proposal would make an exception for Franklin County allowing it to take those expenses off the top. But it would still require the county to spend 50 percent of what's left on public safety.

State Representative Mike Duffey, (R) Columbus, supports the amendment saying it’s what voters expect. “This would clarify that 50 percent of what the counties get would be used for law enforcement to fulfill the promises that the voters really expected to happen,” Duffey said.

Tuesday afternoon, lawmakers sent the bill back to committee for further consideration.

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