Election Results!

As my Statcounter account tells me, there were a lot of you who stopped in on Wednesday and Thursday, probably looking to find out what happened in the election. I apologize, profusely, for not having anything up. Long story short, wrapping up one job and starting another will take blogging time away from me.

Here are some results from the Issue elections (with some commentary)... if you're still curious about various municipal, judicial, and school board elections, the Franklin County Board of Elections has the full (unofficial) results posted here.

State Issues

#1, Veterans Bonus: Passed with 72.15% of the Vote.

#2, Livestock Care Board: Passed with 63.66% of the Vote.

#3, Casino Authorization: Passed 52.97% of the Vote.

County Issues

#4, Children's Services Levy: Passed with 61.60% of the Vote.

Local Issues

See the unofficial results page for the full rundown on your local issues.

Recap:

Essentially, all the big issues passed. Franklin County turnout was 30.70% (really? Seriously? What the hell were you doing that was more important than voting on a Tuesday in November?? We can't all have screwed up registration like me!) and statewide it was 40.29%. All I gotta say is not many people have a right to complain when the government starts doing what it wants without a sense of accountability.

I'm disappointed in Issue 1 passing. I've said it before, I have a lot of respect for the members of the Services and don't feel the government does enough for them...but the year we're closing libraries, and schools, and other humanitarian services because the state is BROKE isn't the right time to throw money at anyone.

I'm also disappointed about Issue 2. I don't feel it'll really serve anyone's best interest, except the ones who already have money and influence. Hopefully I'm wrong, and just being cynical...but I'm not sure about that.

I'm pretty ambivalent about the casinos. I can see it being a good thing, I can see it being a not so good thing. I don't think anyone really thought this out...they just wanted to put together something the voters would authorize, and left a lot of things open ended or full of loopholes. Now we see if that is abused or rectified, I suppose...

At least the Children's Services levy passed. The job of taking care of kids in need, whether foster care or those needing to be checked up on by social workers, is really too big for the resources we allocate to it. I would've been a little sick if voters had shot this down.

And that's all she wrote this time. Starting next week I'll be starting to look forward to next year's election...the big 2010 "referendum" on the Obama "revolution."

Ohio State Issue 3: Casinos

So yet again, there is an issue on the ballot with a goal of legalizing gambling in Ohio. This time around it'll put a casino each in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Toledo.

There are a lot of numbers about how much money this proposal would bring into Ohio in both up front fees and tax revenue. Not to mention how it'll keep gambling dollars in Ohio, instead of to all the neighboring states and Canadian provinces (oh yes, because I totally go to Toronto to play my Texas Holdem). They also point out how the primary backers are prominent Ohioans with interests in the state.

Yes On Issue 3.com (Pro)

The opposition points out some good points, like how the deal isn't good enough for Ohio (taxes are capped lower than in other states, cash betting slips under the tax radar, the hidden cost of infrastructure). I am less concerned about the lack of "Buy Ohio" rules written into the bill...that's capitalism, baby. If Ohio business can't compete, then it's not up to Columbus to make up the difference. At the same time...we shouldn't be screwing ourselves just so we don't have to drive as far for a slot machine. I do like the arguments about "net job creation," which points out some good facts on how studies aren't always what they seem.

Truthpac.org (Against)

Final Amendment Language (Informative)

Official Argument For (Informative)

Official Argument Against (Informative)

My take? We've gotten along just fine without casinos, and I don't think this is the best way to go about introducing them now. I'm not sure this is a good deal for Ohio, and really...that's all we should be looking at, not convenience, not short term budget problems. I'd vote no.