Senate Republicans simply are hiding behind a poll

So the Senate Republicans say they'll support slots, but only if there's a ballot issue or Strickland signs an executive order to make it happen.  The latter is not constitutionally possible, because we're not talking about slots being used to expand the services paid for by the Ohio Lottery Commission, but to generate general revenue funds.  The latter is a cop-out based on a Qunnipiac poll that shows Ohioans support slots, but would rather the issue be decided by them and not the State legislature.

But Ohio cannot wait for the next election to solve its budget crisis.  And I'd dare say that on any substantive issue, voters polled would always prefer to decide such issues through direct elections rather than trusting it to its elected representatives.  But if that's the case, then why have a legislature at all?

Let's just elected a judicial and executive branch.  Every year, we'll just hae a slate of referendum issues for the people to decide.

What, that won't work?  Well, neither does the Senate Republicans excuse of demanding a referendum to give them political cover of "doing the people's will."  Does that mean anything the legislature does without a referundum, essentially, doing nothing more than blessing it, are less valid as legislative enactments?

Can Ohio really pass a budget based on the assumption of a referendum passing and generating enough revenue?  What happens if a referendum fails?

And is a referendum that would be held this November truly be more democratic given the obvious low turnout such off-year elections would require?

And why is NOBODY pointing out the costs to the State such an election would cost?

The fact that Ohio Senate Republicans are looking for the slots to happen by either executive fiat or popular referendum suggests a caucus that lacks the political courage to make tough decisions and is looking to pass the buck.  It's unbelieveable the political cowardness of these elected officials.

And yet again, we have Ohio GOP Chairman Kevin DeWine publicly declaring that this is all part of the GOP's plan:  drive Strickland's poll numbers down a year before his re-election by dragging this budget impasse as long and painfully as possible.

Today's Columbus Dispatch began to break the fog of the small-mindedness of our state legislative leaders.

I sense that the public attitude regarding the budget is starting to shift and the Senate Republicans are starting to wilt at the public scrutiny being focused on their inaction.

Senate President Bill Harris needs to tell freshmen Senator Jon Husted that he's not Speaker anymore.  He needs to show the sane and sober leadership he has shown in the past.  Ohioans expect their State Senate to resolve their differences with the House and Governor and govern effectively.  The Senate Republican's gridlock is now starting to backfire on them as people increasingly are becoming aware that this is a partisan game to hurt Ohio's economy for no other reason than to help their party in the next election.

Governor Strickland has shown a willingness to make the hard decisions and accept responsibility for them.  The Senate needs to act.

Perhaps they could pass the slots and then have a referendum to repeal it.  But Ohio cannot wait until the next election.  Voters in 2006 voted for legislators to pass a biannium budget now.