If you live in Ohio, today is voting day. Read the issues on the ballot before carefully making a Yes/No decision.
ISSUE #1
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE TO ISSUE BONDS TO PROVIDE
COMPENSATION TO VETERANS OF THE PERSIAN GULF, AFGHANISTAN,
AND IRAQ CONFLICTS
Proposed by Joint Resolution of the General Assembly
To adopt Section 2r of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio
Purpose: This proposed amendment would authorize the state to issue up to two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) of bonds to provide compensation to Ohio veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts, and to pay for the administration of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts Compensation Bond Retirement Fund and the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts Compensation Fund. Authorize the Ohio Department of Veterans Services to provide compensation to persons who have served in active duty in the United States armed forces at any time during the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts and who were Ohio residents at the start of active duty services and are currently Ohio residents. The state would provide stipends of $100 a month up to a total of $1 ,000 for Ohio veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts. Furthermore, the state would provide stipends of $50 a
month up to a total of $500 for Ohio veterans who served elsewhere during the conflicts. In addition, the family members of qualified deceased Ohio veterans could apply for a $5,000 death benefit Allow certain survivors to receive the same compensation as the person who served in the armed forces would have received, if that person dies or is designated as missing in
action or held in enemy captivity. Authorize the state to issue bonds only for the time period from the effective date of this amendment until December 31, 2013.
If approved, this amendment would take effect immediately.
ISSUE #2
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
TO CREATE THE OHIO LIVESTOCK CARE STANDARDS BOARD
(Proposed by Joint Resolution of the GeneralAssembly of Ohio)
To adopt Section 1 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the State of Ohio
Purpose: Amended Substitute Senate Joint Resolution Number 6 (SJR 6) would require the state to create the Livestock Care Standards Board to prescribe standards for animal care and well-being that endeavor to maintain food safety, encourage locally grown and raised food, and
protect Ohio farms and families.
The Board would establish standards after considering agricultural best management practices, biosecurity, disease prevention, animal morbidity/mortality data, food safety practices, and the protection of local, affordable food supplies. The bi-partisan Board would be comprised of thirteen members with expertise in farming, animal care, and food safety issues, and chaired by the director of the state department that regulates
agriculture.
The Governor will appoint ten members ofthe Board, as follows:
• One representing family farmers
• One knowledgeable about food safety in Ohio
• Two representing Ohio farming organizations
• One who is a veterinarian
• The State Veterinarian
• The dean of the agriculture department of an Ohio college or university
• One representing a county humane society in Ohio
• Two representing Ohio’s consumers
The Leaders of the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate will each appoint a family farmer to the Board.
Authority of General Assembly under SJR 6: Standards and rules developed by the Board would be subject to the authority of the General Assembly.
If approved, this proposed amendment will be effective immediately.
ISSUE #3
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW FOR ONE CASINO EACH IN
CINCINNATI, CLEVELAND, COLUMBUS, AND TOLEDO AND DISTRIBUTE
TO ALL OHIO COUNTIES A TAX ON THE CASINOS
Proposed by Initiative Petition
To adopt Section 6 to Article XV of the Constitution of the State of Ohio
This proposed amendment would:
1. Authorize only one casino facility at a specifically designated location within each of the cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo.
2. Levy a fixed tax of 33% of gross casino revenue received by each casino operator of the four casino facilities.
3. Distribute the casino tax as follows:
• 51% 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% among all public school districts
• 5% among all host cities
• 3% to the Ohio casino control commission
• 3% to the Ohio state racing commission fund
• 2% to a state law enforcement training fund
• 2% to a state problem gambling and addictions fund
4. Require each initial licensed casino operator to pay a single $50,000,000 fee to be used for state job training purposes and make a minimum initial investment of $250,000,000 in its facility.
5. Permit approved types of casino gaming authorized by Michigan, West Virginia, Indiana, and Pennsylvania as of January 1, 2009 or games subsequently authorized by those states.
6. Authorize the casinos to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at the
discretion of the casino operator and require that the casino facilities shall be
subject to all state and local laws and provisions related to health and building codes, but that no local zoning, land use laws, subdivision regulations or similar provisions shall prohibit the development or operation of the casinos at the designated sites.
7. Create the Ohio casino control commission which will license and regulate casino operators, management companies retained by such casino operators, key employees, gaming-related vendors, and all gaming authorized by this constitutional provision.
A “YES” vote means you approve of amending the Ohio Constitution to permit
one casino each in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo.
A “NO” vote means you disapprove of amending the Ohio Constitution to permit
one casino each in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo.
A majority YES vote is required for the amendment to be adopted.
