First, from last week, Representative Keene’s bill:
The actual text of his bill can be found here.
Longtime Lexington horseman and retired county clerk Don Blevins shares his thoughts:
Rep. Keene has pre-filed a bill allowing for referendums in counties desiring expanded gaming. I applaud Rep. Keene for raising the subject of expanded gaming. However, a county by county referendum is not a workable idea. Take for example a referendum that would pass in Jefferson and fail in Fayette or some other combo with northern Ky or Henderson, etc. The racing industry needs expanded gaming to be able to compete on a level playing field with the other states that already have expanded gaming. Expanded gaming furnished extra purse money at the tracks and larger breeder incentives. Expanded gaming will continue the year around racing circuit in Ky that the small stables desparately need. The Legislature needs to enact expanded gaming at the race tracks to save Ky’s signature industry, an industry revered around the world and a billion plus economic engine for Ky and the direct and indirect jobs it furnishes. Expanded gaming is expected to contribute 500 million dollars a year in taxes and fees for Ky without raising taxes one penny. We already take in approx. 700 million per year from smoking, alcohol and wagering. Expanded gaming together with present revenue from tobacco, alcohol and wagering would produce 1.25 billion per year in revenue for the state. I, for one, would use the entire amount for the education of Ky’s youth. Wake up Kentucky, this is a golden opportunity to get 500 million in new revenue without a tax increase for anyone.
I think Keene’s plan was directed more at his district than statewide. It is not workable.
Keene’s plan is a way to support gambling while ensuring its failure as an outcome of political maneuvering.
wet-willi’s acolytes have a disciple.