Ohio's Issue 6, a State Amendment, Promises Casino -- and Jobs

Cincinnati, Ohio -- Ohioans are voting early, deciding the fate of Issue Number 6, a hot button issue that proposes an amendment to the state constitution that would allow casino gambling. Three previous statewide casino gambling amendments have been defeated; but backers of Issue 6 are taking a different approach, seeking approval for a single casino and resort to be located near Wilmington, in Clinton County.

A Vote For Issue 6

Yesonissuesix.com, the website for MYOHIONOW/ISSUE 6, outlines the merits of a casino in Ohio, explaining myths and truths, positions on taxes and the findings of an independent impact study. They cite the potential for five thousand estimated construction and casino jobs to be gained and that Clinton county would receive ten percent of the tax base as well as increased security and infrastructure support.

Their site talks of a "Share the wealth" proposal that would divide an estimated two-hundred million dollars plus in tax revenues among Ohio's eighty-eight counties. The additional boon to the Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio is that Wilmington is close enough to enhance the employment prospects and stimulate the economy of the entire region.

A Vote Against Issue 6

Two groups have mounted campaigns in opposition to the casino amendment. According to ballotpedia.com the group, Vote No Casinos, opposes the measure on moral grounds. Posted on their website votenocasinos.com is a video entitled "Gambling Ruins Lives." The site also profiles casino developer, Lyle Berman, in an unflattering light and warns of potential amendment loopholes to his benefit.

Dispatchpolitics on line describes a stronger opponent in Pennsylvania based Penn Gaming, owners of Argosy Casino, a nearby Indiana riverboat. They've financed a television and print ad campaign urging a no vote on the issue and accusing developer Lyle Berman of mismanaging past casino assets and failing to pay taxes. According to Worldnews.com the Ohio Election Commission has ruled favorably on a complaint filed by MYOHIONOW/ISSUE 6, finding probable cause that Penn Gaming's Vote No On 6 PAC group is guilty of deceptive advertising in their television campaign to oppose Issue 6.

Jobs Or No Jobs?

If the Issue 6 amendment is approved, a casino will be built in Wilmington, Ohio. The timing is fortuitous as German-based package carrier, DHL, recently announced plans to shut down their Wilmington air freight and sorting facility. The planned casino and resort would go a long way toward softening the blow of the estimated eight-thousand lost jobs.

DHL has struck a deal with UPS, Louisville to handle their air transport services but not if senators Sherrod Brown, Democrat from Ohio and Herb Kohl, Democrat from Wisconsin, have anything to do with it. They have co-authored a letter stating the UPS sub contract could constitute a violation of anti-trust laws. Senator John McCain has requested the Justice Department launch an investigation into DHL's proposed shut-down; but the Cleveland Plain Dealer cites the senator as having a more direct connection to Wilmington's job woes.

It's Complicated

In his role as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, McCain and his campaign manager, Rick Davis, a Washington lobbyist in 2003, facilitated the take over of Airborne Express by German based Corporation Duetsche Post World Net, DHL's parent company. That deal lead to a few years of economic growth for Wilmington followed by the company's planned exit from Clinton County. When DHL leaves the area, the jobs potential offered by the Issue 6 casino amendment might save the area from certain job loss.

So Ohio voters hold Wilmington's fate in their hands. They can overlook their moral issues, vote yes on 6 and guarantee additional jobs in Wilmington along with over two-hundred million dollars in taxes to be shared by all Ohio counties, or they can vote no and hope DHL changes its mind.