September 29, 2009

Cincinnati NAACP
Media Release

The Cincinnati NAACP membership endorsed Issue 3 at its September General Membership Meeting.  Issue 3 if passed will bring gambling to the State of Ohio.  The General Membership noted that gambling and wagering is legal in Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.  Ohio residents leave the State of Ohio everyday and gamble in Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.  Those pushing No on Issue 3 own and operate casinos in other states. 

The building and operating of a casino will generate jobs for Ohio residents.  The Cincinnati NAACP refuses to get into the argument over 35,000 jobs or 25,000 jobs when unemployment in the State of Ohio is 12% and specifically  greater than 18% in the area of construction.  The unemployment in the African American Community is 20-25% conservatively which are great depression unemployment numbers.  The only question the Cincinnati NAACP has is will the outside owners produce better African American construction and ownership participation then Cincinnati has seen in the past. " The owners have a different track record in the area of ownership, jobs, and community involvement as a fact. We will allow their track record not emotions to drive the memberships final decision to support this private transaction that needs public approval," Smitherman says.

Issue 3 will generate new revenue for Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati.  The county and the city will split after the first full year of operations approximately $24 million 50/50.  Cincinnati Public Schools will receive approximately $4 million per year.  The City of Cincinnati will receive 5% more because one of the casinos is located in downtown Cincinnati.  This will generate approximately $9 million per year.  This brings the City of Cincinnati's financial impact to its general fund to $21 million per year.  This general fund supports health clinics, fire, police, recreation centers, pools, etc. The African American Community must elect Council members by voting that will allocate the annual revenue from the casino toward basic services our community values. The bottom line is Cincinnati and Cincinnati Public Schools will financially benefit directly if Issue 3 passes. Vote YES on Issue 3 to keep Ohio Plates in Ohio!