Updated: 10/30/2008 8:12:17 AM Posted: 10/29/2008 4:27:19 PM
CLEVELAND -- A casino operator who is one of the principals behind Ohio's Issue 6 says it's about the economy, jobs, and taxes for all of Ohio's counties.
Lyle Berman says negative ads attacking him and Issue 6 have clouded the real story, the need to keep Ohioans' gaming dollars in Ohio, and to create jobs. "As you can see I don't wear horns, but I think they've said everything about me except that," Berman told WKYC-TV Managing Editor Dick Russ during a visit to the TV station. "The real issue is just very simple. We propose that we're going to invest $600 million in the State of Ohio," said Berman. "We're going to create 10,000 new jobs, both construction and casino, and peripheral jobs, and we're going to pay taxes of 30 percent to all 88 counties in the state of Ohio, which we estimate to be $240 million." Issue 6 would amend the Ohio constitution to allow the building of one casino near Wilmington in the southwest part of the state. The campaign has been fraught with negative advertising and court challenges. Berman says voters should stay focused on what he says Issue 6 will bring. "Today, Ohio money and Ohio jobs are going to West Virginia, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and we want to bring that home to Ohio," Berman explains. "You're going to have a first class designation resort which is what Ohio should have if they have limited gaming." To hear the complete interview with Lyle Berman, please click on the video link.
