RELEASE: State Reps. Announce Lawsuit Regarding Video Lottery Terminals

Release:

COLUMBUS – State Representatives John Adams (R-Sidney), Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster) and Seth Morgan (R-Huber Heights) today announced that they have joined with the Ohio Christian Alliance in filing a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court to oppose the unlawful expansion of gambling in Ohio.

“This governor and the House majority have sidestepped their legislative responsibility by relying on executive orders,” Morgan said. “They have subverted the will of the Ohio people, ignored the Ohio Constitution and have given the people of Ohio little recourse other than filing legal challenges as a chance to stop this expansion to Ohio gambling.”

“It’s time to find a remedy to the ruff shod way the will of the voters has been thwarted,” stated Amstutz. “I believe that the Ohio Supreme Court is the correct place to overturn the outrageous actions that have violated our state constitution in so many ways.

“It is against the principles of this state to prohibit the citizens from challenging a law that the Legislature passes and the governor signs into law,” Adams said. “When a section of a bill clearly goes against the Ohio Constitution, citizens have the right and the obligation to stand up and object.”

Under House Bill 1, the Ohio Legislature, along with Governor Strickland, included a provision to allow slot machines at Ohio racetracks. The complaint is that under the Ohio Constitution, this kind of action is not permitted. To complicate matters, a section was included that prohibited citizens of this state from filing a grievance with any court save the Ohio Supreme Court, or to take this issue directly to the ballot.