Kentucky's Capitol
(2009-06-04)
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Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, says his proposal will help the horse industry without expanding gambling in Kentucky.
Photo courtesy Legislative Research Commission (Click image to enlarge)
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Governor Beshear says the state needs video slots at horse tracks to boost race day purses before the state's signature horse industry fails. And Beshear wants lawmakers to approve expanded gambling in the special session. But Senate President David Williams says purses can be boosted without expanding gambling, and is offering an alternative.
"This approach that we're taking does not increase the amount of gambling that happens in Kentucky, does not change the location of gambling whatsoever in the commonwealth of Kentucky," said Williams.
The governor's office is studying Senator Williams' proposal, but has yet to decide if it fits the specific parameters of the amended call of the special session and can be discussed during the session.
(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
Senator Williams says the governor should allow lawmakers to discuss his proposal, which may not fit the specific parameters of the amended special session call.
"This is a proposal that will pass the Kentucky state Senate if it's introduced. And I see no reason that it will not pass the Kentucky House of Representatives," said Williams. "Because it completely avoids the hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians that will have severe problems foisted upon them if we have the increased amount of gambling that video lotteries or slot machines are going to call for in this state."
Senator Williams says a combination of taxes, surcharges and fees could raise $83 million for horse show prizes, breeders' incentives and race day purses.
"We generate more money to supplement the purses and you don't have all the social ills, consequences and expansion," said Williams. "And for those people in areas where the tracks are located now, there is another advantage of this. This particular situation would be spread statewide and wouldn't just be concentrated in Louisville and Lexington, where you would have all the gaming."
(INITIAL STORY)
Governor Beshear says Kentucky is in danger of losing its signature horse industry, which he says is in crisis. The problem? The commonwealth is losing horses to other states that offer lucrative race day purses subsidized by video slots. Beshear says Kentucky must follow suit and he's willing to take the political heat if the effort fails.
"For too long, people have been afraid to act on this issue." said Beshear. "The unknown, my friends, cannot be an excuse for timidity or inaction."
Beshear does not believe a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling is necessary because gambling is already allowed at the tracks. The Family Foundation is promising to sue over that issue if a video slots bill is approved and becomes law. © Copyright 2012, WEKU
