Gambling news from http://www.cleveland.com/
October 26, 2006
Any misgivings Mayor Donald Plusquellic may have had about a state issue to allow gambling were overcome by the need to support economic development in Cleveland and college education.
Plusquellic said Wednesday that he supports Issue 3. He was approached by Cleveland politicians and leaders in business to take a stand on changing the Ohio Constitution to allow up to 31,500 electronic-slot machines at Ohio's seven racetracks and two sites in downtown Cleveland. Thirty percent of slots revenue would go to college grants and scholarships.
Plusquellic said he spoke to opponents and decided that he is tired of watching decades of discussions to develop Cleveland, including its lakefront and convention center, stall because no one can reach a consensus. The support by Cleveland officials of Issue 3 impressed him.
Studies for the Issue 3 campaign say slots parlors in Ohio could generate 56,000 permanent jobs and deliver $75 million yearly to Cuyahoga County and Cleveland for economic development.
"Even if it only produces $600 million instead of $800 million annually for college education, that's $600 million more than what the state legislature is providing," he said.
Plusquellic said Akron would receive $4 million to $7 million a year for economic development.
Plusquellic joins Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, State Sen. Eric Fingerhut and U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones in supporting Issue 3. Numerous elected officials statewide oppose the issue, including U.S. Sen. George Voinovich and Gov. Bob Taft.
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