Senators may push for an amendment on racetrack gambling
By Beth Musgrave and Jack Brammer
FRANKFORT — Some high-ranking members of the Republican-led Senate may make a push in coming days for a constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling at Kentucky horse racetracks, according to a prominent Central Kentucky horseman who is a major Republican donor.
“It appears that Senate Republicans are beginning to feel the heat from their constituents,” Bill Farish, general manager of Lane’s End Farm in Woodford County, said in a letter sent to news media on Monday. “The word around Frankfort is that Senate leadership is preparing to offer up the old idea of putting forth a constitutional amendment to permit gaming at Kentucky race tracks.”
Farish’s comments came one day before three top lawmakers — Senate President David Williams, Senate State and Local Government Chairman Damon Thayer and Senate Minority Leader Ed Worley — are scheduled to meet with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders.
Lourdes Baez-Schrader, a spokeswoman for Williams, R-Burkesville, confirmed Monday that the three senators will meet with the industry groups “to listen to what they have to say.” However, she said “senate leadership will not be advocating a constitutional amendment that will allow for the expansion of gambling.”
Thayer, R-Georgetown, said he has been asked to attend the Tuesday meeting with Williams. “I know Sen. Williams has a presentation and I want to be there to listen to it,” Thayer said. He declined to say if a constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling would be discussed.
Worley, D-Richmond, said he has not heard about a possible Republican-led push to get the legislature to approve a constitutional amendment for expanded gambling.
Republican Senate leaders have been criticized by the horse industry for failing to pass legislation that would allow expanded gambling in the form of slot machines at racetracks.
The Democratic-controlled House earlier this year approved a measure to allow video lottery terminals, or VLTs, at the tracks, but it died in the Senate budget committee. That effort did not include a constitutional amendment, which would require the approval of voters.
David Switzer, executive director of the horse industry group, said Williams and Worley were expected to attend Tuesday’s meeting and he had heard that Thayer may attend. He said the meeting will be closed.
Farish, who supports expanded gambling, said a constitutional amendment is unnecessary and Republicans are preparing to support one for political reasons.
“It seems that Senate leadership has made the cynical decision to try and put expanded gaming on the ballot in an effort to drive up social conservative turnout in the next election cycle, hoping that the increased turnout will help their Senate candidates,” Farish said.
Some Democratic lawmakers have expressed similar concerns about the possibility of a vote on a constitutional amendment.
But Democratic political consultant Danny Briscoe said he does not understand the reluctance.
“Polls show us the people want to vote on the issue,” he said. “We are in a democracy. The safest and most democratic way to deal with this issue is to let the people vote on it.”
Farish noted in his letter to the media that voters could not vote on a constitutional amendment until November 2010 at the earliest. If voters approved it, expanded gambling would not become a reality until at least 2011, he said.
In an interview Monday, Farish, who is a member of the Thoroughbred Racing Association, said a constitutional amendment likely would not be welcomed by the horse industry.
“It was a great idea six years ago,” Farish said. “But it’s just pure political game playing, if that is in fact what they’re going to propose.”
Gov. Steve Beshear campaigned for expanded gambling in his 2007 gubernatorial run, saying voters deserved the chance to decide the issue.
He is now focused on trying to help Democrats regain control of the Senate in an effort to push expanded gambling.
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Larry Galt | Oct 19, 2009 | Reply
Sounds like bully Williams still is flipping and rather live by his motto of “do as I say not as I do”.
Where is the real leadership we deserve?
Dawn | Oct 19, 2009 | Reply
They want to put a casino in a horse track in Ky,when the economy is so low and take what little money people have saved thinking they can win big besides doing something about the corruption that is going on in ky.We have people here that is dying in our jail cells and being locked up over crazy non-violent charges.Instead of trying to help these sick people with the disease of addiction,they just want to lock them up.
Mike | Oct 19, 2009 | Reply
These people borrow money from the government to do this so called “war on drugs” only thing they have done is locked people up and took their kids away but they did a study on this after millions of dollars was given to these orginaztions,to find out that the drug problem is 30-40 percent worser so we know that locking them up is not the answer.Instead of wasting money,throwing it away,and taking these peoples children away from them,get these people help with their disease and save all of us taxpayers money in the long run,if you want to do something to help the people.
Ryan Wilcher | Oct 19, 2009 | Reply
I’m all for it, better then the money going out of state, if you can actually call driving .25 miles across a river “out of state” but we definitely aren’t getting the tax dollars.
All this BS about “whoa the addiction” is just that; when was the last time you helped in a homeless shelter, donated funds to the many churches that take the homeless in during the winter months or dedicated your time to make the less fortunate lives a little better.
I’m willing to bet none because it is easy to have the Williams HOLIER THAN THOU attitude when it is merely words.
This is entertainment, plain and simple otherwise I want to hear about getting rid of all the liquor licenses, tobacco retailers and bingo parlors.
Take your mores else where since all the HOT AIR is depleting the ozone.
Dan | Oct 20, 2009 | Reply
Let’s hope the anti gambling legislators do just as much to shut down the cockfighting pits littered all over eastern Kentucky as they do to stop expanded gambling at the horse tracks.
Indian Chollie | Oct 20, 2009 | Reply
It would be a hoot watching Farish and Brereton Jones and Tracy Farmer oppose the people voting on this issue. Hey, how about all out real casinos with a generous cut for race purses? What say ye breeders Farish and Jones and Farmer?
Mike | Oct 20, 2009 | Reply
I just want to know one thing how come when something is against the law,they can change the law to suit them and any one else does it they would get prosecuted for it.Don’t get me wrong I do love to gamble but one time I was at a small poker game and the law busted it up and treatened to take everyone to jail,but when they want to do it,they can change the laws on it.I believe that if gambling is going to be legalized,so should everything else or vote these people out of office.
Dan | Oct 20, 2009 | Reply
It’s the golden rule Mike. He who has the gold, makes the rules.
Jim Anderson Stivers | Oct 21, 2009 | Reply
Mr. Wilcher, Sir . .
You apparently know nothing of gambling addiction with statements like this.
Wilcher,
I’m all for it, better then the money going out of state, if you can actually call driving .25 miles across a river “out of state” but we definitely aren’t getting the tax dollars.
MR. WILCHER, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH MONEY IS BEING SPENT BY KENTUCY GAMBLERS IN INDIANA. THERE IS NO back up to confirm the amount. Only speculation made by the KEEP SURVEY, about four years ago.
All this BS about “whoa the addiction” is just that; when was the last time you helped in a homeless shelter, donated funds to the many churches that take the homeless in during the winter months or dedicated your time to make the less fortunate lives a little better.
I can tell you have done no reading on this subject.
If expanded gambling comes to Kentucky in the next five years 100,000 Kentucky citizens will become gambling addicts or problem gamblers. FACT.
Compulsive gambling in the number one mental health issue in the United States.
When gambling comes to close proximity of a Casino . . . the suicide rate for children goes up 3%.
Mr. Wilcher, . . . Do some reading about the subject and then post. What you post is generic like so many others that talk from emotions and not being informed.
GOOGLE will give you the info…
“I just wanna say.”
Jim Anderson Stivers