December 22nd, 2010 – by Glen Farmer
The casino commission in Ohio has once again hit a snag, this time on account of the state’s Senate. The Republican controlled Ohio senate rejected the appointment of each member of the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
Governor Ted Strickland, in the lame-duck season, appointed 71 people to different state boards, including the seven members of the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Every member of the Casino Control Member, including the panel’s chairman, had been rejected. Charles “Rocky” Saxbe, an attorney in Columbus, had been the appointed chairman.
An 18-12 vote by the state’s Senate rejected each of the nominees. According to Senate President BIll Harris (R-Ashland), the Senate would reject any appointee in key policy positions so that Republican Governor Elect John Kasich could select his own people for the positions that are open.
Kasich has already stated that he would like to have an opinion on who will comprise the Casino Control Commission, a group established by the state legislature to act as overseers to the casinos that were approved by voters. Delays have mired the entire affair, and the delay of the commission is likely to delay it further – licenses and regulation need be established prior to the creation of the casinos.
In Ohio, casinos were approved for Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.