Ohio’s governor and members of the horse racing industry are concerned that voters’ recent approval of casinos in four cities will hurt the state’s already struggling racetracks, which employ about 12,000.

The Ohio Supreme Court tried to zero in on legal questions as lawyers debated whether Ohio voters should have a chance to overturn newly authorized racetrack slots.

Gov. Ted Strickland continues to defend his gambling proposal as a way to balance the state’s budget and says Ohio is in company with many other states struggling with financial problems.

The GOP-controlled Ohio Senate plans to hold hearings on Gov. Ted Strickland’s proposal to put slot machines at race tracks to help fill a $3.2 billion budget deficit.

The state is about to enter its first temporary budget in almost two decades as lawmakers struggle to balance Ohio’s $54 billion budget.

UPDATE: Lawmakers trying to balance the state’s $54 billion budget have agreed to pass an interim budget.