Todd Hoffman, from Ohio Learn and Earn, with a response to this article.

In the interest of transparency, I have decided to publish the email that the Dean refers to in his previous article.

I do regret the statement that I would not recommend Andrew; I should have realized that he was not interested in a job in Democratic politics. Even though I did make a mistake in this statement, I followed with the confirmation that he could change my mind if he only would abstain from attacking personal campaign workers. I also suggested that he “stick to his guns” and continue to attack the issue. My email was meant as friendly advice and not a threat in any way. I praised Andy for his idealism, writing ability, and passion for activism. My only advice was not to attack individual campaign workers. And I stick to the importance of this standard of conduct. If the blogosphere is going to evolve into larger medium, we need to avoid personal attacks and stay on issue.

That said lets talk about the issue and the facts. The fact is that Ohio Learn and Earn offers a unique opportunity to fund a statewide scholarship program using the proceeds from legalizing limited gaming in the form of slot machines. This is our issue, and OLE is not hiding it, because there is nothing to hide. It is a great idea. Ohioans can make the decision for themselves in November.

The fact is that Leslie Ghiz supported a petition drive program that was circulating an amendment that was nearly identical to Ohio Learn and Earn. The Ohio Attorney General denied certification twice to Ghiz’s group citing violations of law in the petitioning gathering process. Now Ghiz, citing no evidence, is claiming that OLE is violating the law. The fact is that the Attorney General has certified the OLE petition. Our circulators are all Ohio residents.  They are employed by our circulating firm and paid an hourly wage as required by Ohio law. Each circulator is registered with the Secretary of State’s office.

The fact is that Ghiz is now pressing a lawsuit out of a personal vendetta. Her group failed, so she is upset. However this vendetta is now spilling on to the students of Ohio who could benefit from a scholarship program, and the citizens of Ohio who could benefit from additional tax-free economic development funds.

The fact is that Ohio ranks 49th in affordability of a college education. Tuition rates are rising while the Ohio General Assembly has systematically cut spending on higher education. Federal grants have been cut. Student loans are skyrocketing, prohibiting young professionals to move forward in life because they are strapped with debt.

For all these reasons, we need a solution to solve the college-funding crisis. I think Ohio Learn and Earn is the solution. Ohioans are already traveling to Indiana, West Virginia, and Michigan to play slot machines. Why not keep this money in state and use it for a good cause? Ultimately this is what the voters of Ohio will need to decide. And I think that they will see this plan on its merits, and vote for furthering the future of Ohio’s students. 

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