Ohio Senate President: No slots in budget

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As reported by the Cleveland Plain-Dealer: "Ohio Senate President Bill Harris says if Gov. Ted Strickland wants slot machines at horse racetracks, he should issue an executive order instead of trying to put the plan into the state budget.

"Harris, an Ashland Republican, told reporters after Wednesday's Senate session that his GOP caucus, which controls the Senate, has a 'point of concern' with the proposal being enacted as part of the budget.

"Harris said Republican state senators might vote to put the issue of slot machines at racetracks before voters, but aren't likely to agree to a slots plan that legalizes them as part of the state's next two-year budget.

"...Strickland used his executive authority to expand the Ohio Lottery last year by adding Keno games, and Harris suggested the governor use the same process to authorize the slot machines, which would be run by the lottery..."