By Debra Jasper
Columbus Enquirer Bureau

COLUMBUS - Regardless of who wins the governor's race on Tuesday, Democratic candidate Tim Hagan is confident the state will have more gambling next year.

Mr. Hagan, who made his comments as he traveled by motor home around the state capital, said Senate President Richard Finan and House Speaker Larry Householder have cut a deal to allow slot machines at racetracks.

"Finan and Householder have met and are prepared to pass a bill on gambling," Mr. Hagan said. He said his opponent, Republican Gov. Bob Taft, has agreed to let it pass without a veto.

Mr. Taft responded that there is no deal on gambling, and if the legislature passes a bill allowing slot machines at racetracks he will veto it. "The governor is opposed to gambling because of the social costs," said Orest Holubec, spokesman for Mr. Taft. "He will veto (gambling devices)."

Mr. Finan and Mr. Householder both denied that any action would be taken on gambling in a lame-duck session. "It's not true,'' Mr. Finan said. "... The governor hasn't agreed to anything.''

Tim Hagan

Jennifer Detwiler, spokeswoman for Mr. Householder, said the speaker "has talked about (video gambling) as a source or revenue. But that's all it's been, discussion."

Mr. Hagan said his information came from a top official in the gaming industry; he declined to name him. He added the legislature is also looking at putting a 1 percent temporary sales tax increase on the ballot - an assertion Mr. Householder and Mr. Finan deny.

Mr. Hagan also blasted the Taft administration on Wednesday for refusing to release its projections about the size of the state budget deficit until after the election.

Although other Republican leaders say the deficit could be as high as $4 billion, Mr. Taft has said it is too early to predict how much will be needed to balance the budget next year.

State Budget Director Tom Johnson said Wednesday he and the governor have discussed the possibility of putting an "education tax" on the ballot after the election. He said any decision hinges on whether the Ohio Supreme Court mandates increased spending on education.

"We're hoping that doesn't happen," Mr. Johnson said.

The budget director said it is too early to release his agency's estimate of the impending state budget deficit. He said budget projections exist but they are "mostly internal, back of the envelope, very, very sketchy documents."

Mr. Hagan says the administration is just trying to skate by on the numbers until after voters go to the polls.

"The governor is not being honest. Because he's running for re-election, he doesn't want a story out there this weekend saying there is a budget deficit," Mr. Hagan said. "He's been a phony on the issue from the beginning."

With just five days left before the election, both candidates worked tirelessly on Wednesday to try to increase voter turnout among their base. Mr. Taft campaigned in Cincinnati, visiting the New England Club Retirement Village on Beechmont Avenue.

Mr. Hagan and his running mate, Charleta Tavares, and three Hagan brothers, Jim, Chris and Jeff, spent much of the day wooing union workers in Columbus. Along with an Ohio State University student dressed as a duck, they stood outside the Delphi Safety and Interior Corp. and greeted workers as they changed shifts.

Greg Shultz, a 22-year-old senior, wore the duck suit to call attention to Mr. Hagan's contention that the governor "ducks'' key issues.

Mr. Hagan also met with workers gathered at the Statehouse to protest the increased cost of prescription drugs and the loss of good-paying jobs in Ohio.

"Taft had his time to serve and jobs are leaving Ohio and relocating. Pretty soon, Ohio will just be a service economy," said Clevelander George W. Banks, 79, a member of an organization of retired steelworkers. "We need leadership and he's the best chance we've had of getting it in years."

Jeff Potts, 33, of West Chester agreed.

"Hagan stands for turning around our state's financial crisis," said Mr. Potts, a maintenance technician for Miller Brewing Co. and a United Auto Workers union officer. "Taft has had four years to accomplish things and the state is losing jobs. He's not getting the job done."

E-mail djasper@enquirer.com