Governor Ted Strickland signed the casino implementation measure this week, but not before pointing out areas of disappointment. Overall, Strickland was enthusiastic about the measure’s ability to facilitate the creation of Ohio jobs and economic opportunity in our communities.

“However, I am disappointed that this bill also creates a new income tax deduction for gambling losses on bets placed at casinos, horse races, bingo halls and other forums, both in state and out of state. This new tax deduction represents a policy shift for the state of Ohio, which has never before used its income tax laws to subsidize losses incurred from gambling,” the governor stated in a release. Strickland would have used his line-item veto on this provision if he had been able to do so, and stated that he plans to “reverse this fiscally irresponsible and misguided decision” in the 2011-2012 budget process.