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This week on "The State of Ohio": State lawmakers consider what they can do in the wake of the horrible and yet miraculous escape story out of Cleveland involving three women held prisoner in a house for a decade. New data shows more than half of all violent crimes are committed by a very small numbers of offenders. Lawmakers are now working to target that tiny group. And more thoughts on legislation that would dramatically change rules on unions in Ohio.
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| Racetrack owner who could get millions from Issue 3 explains why it's good for Ohio. |
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By Bill Cohen - October 5, 2006 |
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The owner of an Ohio race track is making a frank admission. Charley Ruma figures the promise of college scholarships for high school grads will neutralize opposition to gambling that some Ohio voters have had, and will convince them to vote yes on State Issue 3. That’s the plan to allow thousands of slot machines at seven Ohio race tracks and two developments in Cleveland, and would steer 30% of the revenues to scholarships. Ruma is the main owner of Beulah Race Track, near Columbus.
For many months, backers of the ballot issue have sent public relations professionals to talk to reporters and have kept the race track owners in the background. But now, Ruma is talking publicly. Here’s part of an interview with Ohio Public Radio’s Bill Cohen. It begins with Ruma stressing that – several years down the road, all Ohio grads heading to college within the state could get a free ride.
Ruma and the other racetrack owners have pledged to raise $2.4 million to push Issue 3 through TV ads stressing the college scholarship program and downplaying the gambling aspect. Church groups on both the right and left of the political spectrum are organizing opposition to the ballot issue. They say expanded gambling would spark an increase in gambling addicts, divorce, poverty, suicide, child neglect, and crime. |
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Charley Ruma with Bill Cohen (3:11) 
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