By Leo Shane III
Gannett Columbus Bureau

COLUMBUS - House Republicans are still weighing ideas on expanding gambling in Ohio, but House Democrats have already made up their minds.

Minority Leader Chris Redfern, D-Catawba Island, said between 17 and 20 of his caucus members would support a slots-for-education plan circulating around the Statehouse. He believes that could be enough support to help Republicans put the issue before voters in November.

"The fundamental question is whether the people of the state will support this plan," he said. "But there is support for putting it before them among the Democrats."

Rep. Bill Seitz, R-Green Township, said he is still discussing the issue with House Republicans, but is optimistic there will be enough support to approve the proposal.

The slots plan would put machines at each of Ohio's seven racetracks. House officials estimate that could bring in about $533 million in 2007, their first full fiscal year of operation, and $675 million by 2015.

A similar proposal was approved by the Senate last fall. But the plan died in the House, where Republicans wanted to use the money to help roll back the one-cent sales tax increase enacted last summer.

Under the new Democrat-backed plan - crafted by House Republicans, Redfern and lobbyists from the racing industry - Ohio's profits from the slots would go solely toward education.

Of the state's share, 50 percent would go toward new college scholarships, with 20 percent earmarked for early childhood education programs and the remainder distributed among Ohio school districts based on student populations.

Redfern said earlier proposals had that district money earmarked for specific expenses, but the current idea is to award that money as grants without restrictions.

"If the Port Clinton school district wants to use that money to buy buses, they should be able to make that decision," he said. "I thought we should not handcuff those districts."

Seitz said a similar plan - which gave 40 percent of profits to district grants - got majority support among House Republicans. He thinks the change in percentage won't change many lawmakers' votes.

Putting the question on the ballot requires a two-thirds majority in each chamber. Lawmakers have until August to approve a resolution to put the issue before voters.

If the issue isn't settled by June, Seitz said industry lobbyists have pledged to launch a petition drive to create a ballot issue without legislative help.

So the House and Senate need to come to terms with this by the end of May," he said. "I'm optimistic we can do that."

Republicans are exploring other ideas, such as allowing racetrack owners to operate slot machines off-site and creating urban casinos with card games. Seitz said those options are geared more toward appeasing voters, and likely won't have much effect on lawmakers.