http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com Covering Kentucky politics and government Tue, 22 May 2012 21:44:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/24/stumbo-says-gambling-probably-dead-this-session/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/24/stumbo-says-gambling-probably-dead-this-session/#comments Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:15:31 +0000 Beth Musgrave http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=20697 By Beth Musgrave bmusgrave@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT -- House Speaker Greg Stumbo said Friday that he does not expect his chamber to consider a constitutional amendment to allow casino-style gambling in Kentucky during this legislative session. "I think it's probably dead for this session," said Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg. Stumbo's comments came the day after the state Senate rejected a constitutional amendment that would have let voters decide if they wanted seven casinos in the state. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 21-16 against the measure. The issue of allowing expanded gambling at racetracks has been debated for more than a decade in Kentucky. The Democratic-controlled House has passed legislation in previous years that would allow the state's racetracks to have casino-style gambling, but it was never heard in the Republican-controlled Senate. ]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/24/stumbo-says-gambling-probably-dead-this-session/feed/ 0 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/23/kentucky-senate-defeats-casino-gambling-bill/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/23/kentucky-senate-defeats-casino-gambling-bill/#comments Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:25:56 +0000 Accountability Editor http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=20683 By Janet Patton jpatton1@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT — A bid to allow casino gambling in Kentucky fell short of passage Thursday when the state Senate voted 21-16 against it. One senator was absent. Gov. Steve Beshear's proposed constitutional amendment, introduced by Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, would have let voters decide in November whether to allow up to seven casinos. "I want to congratulate Senate President Williams," Thayer said after the vote. "He has orchestrated the defeat of this amendment and he deserves credit for doing that." Thayer and Senate Minority Leader R.J. Palmer, D-Winchester, pressed to have the vote delayed because Sen. Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, was out of town. Without that pro-gambling vote, Palmer had conceded before the Senate came into session that the bill could not garner the necessary 23 votes to pass a constitutional amendment. But Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, said the vote would not be held off until Friday. Earlier in the day, Williams said that if the vote could get to 22 in favor, he would reopen the vote, but it fell well shy of that.]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/23/kentucky-senate-defeats-casino-gambling-bill/feed/ 0 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/23/full-senate-expected-to-vote-thursday-on-casino-gambling-bill/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/23/full-senate-expected-to-vote-thursday-on-casino-gambling-bill/#comments Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:56:35 +0000 Accountability Editor http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=20676 By Janet Patton jpatton1@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT — Decades of debate about allowing casino gambling in Kentucky may come to a crescendo Thursday in the state Senate, where Republican leaders say they will vote on a constitutional amendment to allow up to seven casinos. The move comes after the Senate State and Local Government Committee approved a revised version of the bill backed by Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear on a 7-to-4 vote Wednesday afternoon. It was the first time a Senate committee has approved a constitutional amendment to expand gambling. "The governor is going to get his vote on the Senate floor tomorrow and we'll see if it wins on the Senate floor tomorrow," Senate President David Williams said late Wednesday. Republican Sen. Damon Thayer, as sponsor of the bill, said he will ask leaders to delay a vote on the bill because some members will be absent on Thursday. "I think a fair vote would be one with all members present," Thayer said.]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/23/full-senate-expected-to-vote-thursday-on-casino-gambling-bill/feed/ 0 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/21/religious-leaders-pray-for-timely-death-of-casino-bill/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/21/religious-leaders-pray-for-timely-death-of-casino-bill/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:12:19 +0000 Accountability Editor http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=20639 By Janet Patton jpatton1@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT — Opponents of expanded gambling prayed on Tuesday for the "timely death" of Gov. Steve Beshear's casino gambling amendment, which will get its first legislative hearing on Wednesday. Led by Rev. Hershael York of Buck Run Baptist Church in Frankfort, more than 100 people gathered in the Capital Rotunda to sing and pray for the legislation's defeat. The bill, introduced Feb. 14 by Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, is scheduled to be heard in the Senate State and Local Government Committee on Wednesday. Thayer said Tuesday that he would introduce a new version of the bill for a vote. He declined to discuss the changes.]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/21/religious-leaders-pray-for-timely-death-of-casino-bill/feed/ 3 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/15/sponsor-of-casino-bill-says-hes-open-to-changes-if-governor-wants-them/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/15/sponsor-of-casino-bill-says-hes-open-to-changes-if-governor-wants-them/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:51:43 +0000 Accountability Editor http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=20599 By Janet Patton jpatton1@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT — Changes may be coming to Gov. Steve Beshear's proposal for as many as seven casinos in Kentucky. Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, said he is open to revisions that address concerns raised after he introduced the constitutional amendment Tuesday. "If the governor wants to change the language, I'd be happy to offer a committee substitute, but I'm not going to get into the negotiations either way," Thayer said Wednesday. Some key lawmakers said they had problems with Beshear's plan, which calls for as many as five casinos at racetracks and two freestanding ones not within 60 miles of a track. If passed, the constitutional amendment would be on the November ballot, with the General Assembly to decide most regulatory details later. On Wednesday, several Democrats said they were on the fence about Beshear's bill.]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/15/sponsor-of-casino-bill-says-hes-open-to-changes-if-governor-wants-them/feed/ 0 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/14/gambling-bill-would-allow-7-casinos-in-kentucky/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/14/gambling-bill-would-allow-7-casinos-in-kentucky/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:26:15 +0000 Accountability Editor http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=20545 By Janet Patton jpatton1@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT — Backed by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, Gov. Steve Beshear on Tuesday introduced a constitutional amendment to allow casinos. The bill, filed Tuesday by Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, would allow up to seven casinos — five at horse tracks and two elsewhere. “We’re here today to announce the filing of legislation to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot that lets the people decide once and for all,” Beshear said. The governor said additional tax revenue and licensing fees from casinos could buoy the state budget and help the Kentucky horse industry, which is threatened by competition from other states with casinos.]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/14/gambling-bill-would-allow-7-casinos-in-kentucky/feed/ 1 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/10/senate-panel-approves-compromise-plan-to-redraw-kentuckys-congressional-districts/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/10/senate-panel-approves-compromise-plan-to-redraw-kentuckys-congressional-districts/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:31:36 +0000 Accountability Editor http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=20486 UPDATED AT 5:12 P.M. By Jack Brammer jbrammer@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT — Gov. Steve Beshear signed into law Friday a compromise plan to redraw the boundaries of Kentucky’s six congressional districts after the plan rocketed through the General Assembly on Friday. The new map in House Bill 302 moves part of Jessamine County, including Wilmore, and all of Garrard, Mercer and Boyle counties from Central Kentucky’s 6th District to the 2nd District, which extends west to Owensboro. Lincoln County was moved to Eastern Kentucky’s 5th District. The 6th District gained the remaining portion of Scott County, a southern strip of Harrison County, and all of Robertson, Nicholas, Fleming, Bath, Menifee and Wolfe counties. Those changes are expected to make it tougher for Republican Andy Barr to successfully challenge U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, D-Versailles. ]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/10/senate-panel-approves-compromise-plan-to-redraw-kentuckys-congressional-districts/feed/ 0 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/09/sen-damon-thayer-releases-his-client-list/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/09/sen-damon-thayer-releases-his-client-list/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:25:16 +0000 Accountability Editor http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=20452 UPDATED AT 5:40 P.M. By John Cheves jcheves@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT — A Kentucky lawmaker who is expected to sponsor a constitutional amendment to allow casinos at horse racetracks has identified the clients of his private consulting firm, two of which have benefitted from his legislative work. State Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, on Thursday said he provides marketing and public relations services to Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Millennium Farms in Lexington, Wintergreen Stallion Station in Midway and Whispering Oaks Farm in Carencro, La. Kentucky Speedway received a $20.5 million state tax break for which Thayer was a vocal advocate in the legislature’s 2009 special session. Six months after lawmakers voted for the tax break, Kentucky Speedway put Thayer on retainer, although Thayer and Speedway officials say the job was not related. “No. Absolutely not,” Thayer said in a short interview Wednesday outside the Senate chamber..]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/09/sen-damon-thayer-releases-his-client-list/feed/ 1 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/08/senate-panel-approves-bill-to-cap-state-debt/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/08/senate-panel-approves-bill-to-cap-state-debt/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:12:30 +0000 Jack Brammer http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=20448 Joe Bowen, R-Owensboro, imposes a 6 percent cap on General Fund debt. Bowen initially presented the measure in a constitutional amendment but changed it to a statute or state law. The committee approved the bill on a 7-1 vote. In casting the sole “no” vote, Sen. Walter Blevins, D-Morehead, said the measure could hamper creating jobs by limiting debt.]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/08/senate-panel-approves-bill-to-cap-state-debt/feed/ 0 http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/08/beshear-plenty-of-time-left-in-legislative-session-to-address-expanded-gambling/ http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/08/beshear-plenty-of-time-left-in-legislative-session-to-address-expanded-gambling/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:53:27 +0000 Jack Brammer http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/?p=20443 By Jack Brammer jbrammer@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT -- Gov. Steve Beshear said Wednesday he will wait "a few more days" to unveil his long-anticipated constitutional amendment to expand gambling because of the uncertainty of legislative redistricting. "I think we still have plenty of time to address that issue after redistricting is settled," Beshear said to reporters after a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda to honor Black History Month. Beshear said last December that he will present in the 2012 General Assembly a constitutional amendment to expand gambling. Wednesday is the 24th day of the 60-day session that must end by April 15. Redistricting, or the redrawing of boundaries for legislative and congressional districts, has largely paralyzed the law-making session. Lawmakers generally don't like to act on controversial issues until they know who their opponents will be.]]> http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2012/02/08/beshear-plenty-of-time-left-in-legislative-session-to-address-expanded-gambling/feed/ 0