Racetrack leaders reject possible compromise on slots amendment
State Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown
By Janet Patton – jpatton@herald-leader.com
Racetrack leaders said privately this week they would not support a constitutional amendment to allow slots in the seven counties with racetracks even if many of their major problems with the bill were eliminated.
Sen. Damon Thayer said Friday that Turfway Park president Bob Elliston and Churchill Downs racetrack president Kevin Flanery were asked if they would end opposition to his proposal if a requirement for a local-option vote was dropped and tracks were guaranteed slots licenses and given a bigger slice of the revenue they produce.
“Their answer was no,” Thayer said Friday. “I’m not saying that I’m going to make those changes … or even considering it. I just thought their answer was illuminating.”
Thayer, R-Georgetown, met with Elliston and Flanery on Tuesday, the day before his legislation was scheduled to come up for a vote in the State and Local Government committee. That vote was delayed because Thayer said he hopes bipartisan support will develop.
The racetracks and horsemen have opposed Thayer’s bill because they say it would take too long; they support a competing measure, likely to be filed later this month by House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, to allow slots under existing lottery laws. A constitutional amendment requires approval by voters, which couldn’t happen before November.
Elliston confirmed his conversation with Thayer. “It’s not legally necessary to have a constitutional amendment and the time it would take would be too late to help. The need is right now,” Elliston said.
Tracks have also expressed concern that casinos in Indiana and Ohio would wage a costly campaign to block them in a referendum vote.
Thayer said the horse industry needs to move past that position.
“They can continue to argue the constitutionality of slots by statute but they need to move on because it doesn’t have the votes,” Thayer said. “If they want to have any sort of help, letting the people decide is the only option.”
He pointed to a report this week by CNHI Newspapers that at least two Democratic senators — Ray Jones of Pikeville and Mike Reynolds of Bowling Green — would not support expanded gambling, and a third — R.J. Palmer of Winchester — would abstain, casting doubt on Gov. Steve Beshear’s claim to have the 20 votes needed in the Senate to approve slots-by-statute.
Thayer said the revelation should give Democrats a reason to reconsider their opposition to his amendment. With Democratic support, he said he would be close to the 23 votes needed to pass a constitutional amendment.
Marty Maline, executive director of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, said Friday that horsemen were not told about Thayer’s hypothetical question by track executives.
“That was news to me. I’m a little disappointed they didn’t at least let us know that,” Maline said. “It’s helpful to know there’s some give there, (that Thayer’s not) totally intransigent to horsemen’s concerns.”
Maline said he and Kentucky HBPA president Rick Hiles could meet with Thayer next month to talk about the bill.
About the Author: John Stamper is the accountability editor for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Monticello, Ky., he has been with the Herald-Leader in a variety of roles since graduating from Western Kentucky University in 2000. Reach him at jstamper@herald-leader.com
Rob Powers | Jan 15, 2010 | Reply
Who really cares what the horsing industry thinks. This is our state too. If we want slots it doesn’t have to be at the tracks.
J Danforth Crabtree | Jan 15, 2010 | Reply
So let me get this straight. A no slots at all possibility is better than an option that might take longer. Sorry but I am not buying that. I know they need help but they need to pick their battles because they are biting their nose off to spite their face. Thayer is trying to work a comprimise between his party and the industry and they are not moving. The only thing indisputable about Beshears\’ term in office is that he has tried everything in his power to get expanded gaming.
yellowdog | Jan 15, 2010 | Reply
Lets get over this idiocy and allow full casino gaming. Make it destination type casinos. Slots at track is a pitiful effort. Its high time we joined the 21st century and put this nonsense behind us. If someone doesn’t want to gamble i would suggest to stay out of the casino and keep your money in your pocket. In the meantime don’t tell me how to spend MY money.
George | Jan 15, 2010 | Reply
21st century? Seriously, we still have dry counties here that need to just get to the 20th century
Lou Boy | Jan 15, 2010 | Reply
Wow, so the KHBPA wasn’t even consulted by the track execs. Well, KEEP on KEEPING on big boys, it’s all working out so well for you so far.
daniel | Jan 15, 2010 | Reply
Just do it and let the people vote– Do not put at tracks only. Have real casinos or let the issue drop..Ohio is going to kick our butts anyway..
Mandy | Jan 15, 2010 | Reply
Lets keep gambling at our beautiful race tracks. Lots of space, parking. Lets use it so we can keep it.
George Baldwin | Jan 16, 2010 | Reply
No change here. I will NEVER vote for any politician who supports slots at the tracks. Goodbye Beshear, goodbye Stumbo and goodbye Keene. I will vote only for free standing destination type casinos in Ky. They should include the casino, hotels and restaurants. Unlike Ohio, they should not all be developed by a single entity. Neither should they be limited to counties with race tracks.
Bill Adkins | Jan 16, 2010 | Reply
Damon Thayer’s failure upon failure record continues to grow. I would hate to have a house fire in the vicinity of a firestation at which Thayer is the chief.
Bill Adkins | Jan 16, 2010 | Reply
Always so amusing yet hypocritical of the right who claim to be for freedom of the individual but they’re always so quick to restrict freedom of choice.
jimbo | Jan 16, 2010 | Reply
Adkins, you just don’t get it. If God were talking to you directly, and you were totally convinced of your own rectitude and righteousness, wouldn’t you have the moral imperative to reach out to sinners and save them from themselves? And if the good lord had favored you with power and position then you could preach absinence with reckless abandon, knowing that it didn’t apply to you anyway. It’s all so simple.
Bill Adkins | Jan 16, 2010 | Reply
Wow, Jimbo – you say I ‘just don’t get it’ then go into a rant devoid of any coherence at all. Thanks for playing.
jimbo | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
Bill, What you don’t get is sarcasm. Sorry if it was too oblique.
Bill Adkins | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
I get sarcasm, jimbo, but even sarcasm has to be coherent. Maybe ‘oblique’ isn’t the word you’re looking for – try ‘obtuse.’
Bill Adkins | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
Sorry, Jimbo – came from another set of blogs in a fighting mood and didn’t take time to read your post correctly. You were right, I didn’t get it. I do now.
Jim Anderson Stivers | Jan 20, 2010 | Reply
Hello to Bill Adkins—Jim A. Stivers
Thayer is playing politco again. Trying to work both sides of the street without making a committment.No dirt on the skirt!
The gambling people throw out numbers that look inviting— with no regard for the cost to structure the gambling issue, cost for treatment and any tax or infrastructure cost.
Beyond a vote . . . the only one ready is Churchill Downs where they have a special room just for hundreds of slot machines, uhhh, video lottery terminals.
With the swinging door moving so often one would wonder is this governor uncomprimising . . .
Why has he had so many press secretaries?
MISGUIDED?
ALOOF?