Ohio AG rejects gambling amendment ballot wording

3/23/2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray has rejected ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment to establish casinos in four cities.

Cordray rejected the wording Monday because he said it didn't specify the locations in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.

He also said the language from the Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee would mean personal lottery winnings couldn't be taxed. He said the wording needs to make clear that it would be a change from current law, which taxes winnings like ordinary income.

Committee spokesman Bob Tenenbaum says the sponsors didn't intend to exempt winnings from state and local taxes.

Cordray says it is not unusual for his office to reject wording initially and approve a revised version.