One aspect of Governor Taft’s plan to fund education is drawing fire from some state groups. Taft has proposed Ohio join a multi-state lottery and have those revenues help boost the state’s school system.

Anti-gambling groups, however, are coming out in force to oppose Taft’s plan. David Zanotti, President of the Ohio Roundtable, says his group is concerned with the possible proliferation of gambling throughout the state. The roundtable not only opposes the multi-state lottery idea, but also installing video slot machines at racetracks, which Zanotti says will turn racetracks into casinos. “Both these proposals are steps in the wrong direction. They are based on the flawed economics of gambling,” Zanotti says.

Zanotti tells ONN he thinks lawmakers will try sneaking the proposals into a budget bill so they will not require a stand-alone vote. The roundtable will first try to talk legislators out of backing the proposals. Ohioans twice voted against casinos statewide votes in 1990 and 1996. Zanotti says he is ready to file four lawsuits if legislators try passing legislation that way.

The Ohio Roundtable is a non-profit, non-partisan education and research group.