The League of Women Voters of Ohio (LWV-Ohio) announced its opposition to state Issue 6, the proposed constitutional amendment authorizing a privately owned casino in Clinton County. LWV-Ohio’s stand is based principally on its public policy position on the Ohio Constitution, adopted in 1968 and readopted every two years since then. This policy states that the Ohio Constitution should be a clearly stated body of fundamental principles, and provide for the flexible operation of government. LWV-Ohio believes that Issue 6’s designation of a specific 94-acre parcel of land for a casino is too narrow a concept to be in the constitution.

LWV-Ohio also found Issue 6 at odds with another of its long-held public policy positions that states Ohio taxes should be fair and equitable. LWV-Ohio believes Issue 6 grants a disproportionate share of the casino’s tax revenue to Clinton County.

LWV-Ohio President Linda Lalley said the LWV-Ohio Board carefully weighed the pros and cons of the issue in reaching its decision. She emphasized, “The Ohio Constitution is the foundation of our state’s governance. It should be—it must be—a clear set of fundamental principles that guide our state. It should not be a pile of Post It Notes for special interests.”

In other action, based in part on its public policy position on the Ohio Constitution, LWV-Ohio took stands on Issues 1, 2 and 3 as follows:

Issue 1: Earlier Filing Deadlines for Statewide Ballot Issues, Constitutional Amendment - SUPPORT
Issue 2: Bond Issue for the Clean Ohio Program, Constitutional Amendment - SUPPORT
Issue 3: Protect Private Property Water Rights, Constitutional Amendment - OPPOSE

A detailed overview of Issue 6 and the other statewide ballot issues, including proponents’ and opponents’ arguments for each, can be accessed online at www.lwvohio.org by clicking on the 2008 Fall Voters Guide.