Two GOP senators to file for gambling amendments

Two key Senate Republicans said Tuesday they will file constitutional amendments regarding expanded gambling at Kentucky racetracks, but leading Democrats immediately dismissed the proposals.

One measure, backed by Republican Sen. Damon Thayer of Georgetown, would allow the public to decide whether video lottery terminals should be allowed at horse racetracks. Another, backed by Senate President David Williams, would ban such expansions of gambling without a constitutional amendment, which requires the public's approval.

The plans met quick resistance from Democrats and the horse industry, who say a constitutional amendment that allows casino-style gambling could not be enacted in time to help the struggling industry.

Thayer's proposal is "dead on arrival," said Senate Minority Leader Ed Worley, D-Richmond.

Thayer, who has worked as a consultant in the horse industry, presented his plan at the Tuesday meeting of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, an industry trade group. Williams, a Burkesville Republican who has long been opposed to gambling, also announced his constitutional amendment at the meeting.

Thayer and Williams, who noted that Democrats have supported previous constitutional amendments to allow expanded gambling, said letting the public vote would finally put the issue of casino-style gambling at racetracks to rest after more than 15 years of debate.

But Gov. Steve Beshear, in a written statement, called the proposals "cynical" and "political."

"The Republican leadership's proposals for constitutional amendments are a cynical maneuver designed to take pressure off of some members who regret their unwillingness to help the industry and our state just a few months ago," said Beshear, who proposed in 2008 a failed constitutional amendment to allow casinos at racetracks. "This move is about politics, not progress. It is about spin, not the substance of critical issues confronting Kentucky and our signature industry."

Despite the criticisms of Democrats, Thayer said after Tuesday's closed-door presentation that he believed his measure would clear the state Senate next year and make its way onto the ballot in November 2010.

His proposal would allow people to vote on a constitutional amendment but would also require a local election in the seven counties where racetracks are located. If the constitutional amendment passes, Thayer said Beshear could call a special legislative session next December to work out further details.

Thayer said he would like to see either $100 million or 25 percent of slots revenue — whichever is greater — go into a fund that could increase racing purses, breeders incentives and marketing for horse racing. About 25 percent of revenue would go to the video lottery terminal operators, and the rest would go to the state to fund capital projects.

Worley, who also attended the Tuesday meeting, said Thayer doesn't have support from the Senate's 17 Democrats. A super majority of lawmakers — 23 from the 37-member Senate and 60 from the 100-member House — must approve constitutional amendments before they are placed on the ballot.

Worley said he talked to all but one of the Senate Democrats on Tuesday, and no one said he would vote for Thayer's amendment.

Worley said Republicans want to put the measure on the ballot to drive socially conservative voters to the polls in 2010. "What this is about is politics," Worley said.

Sen. Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort, said he does not think any Senate Democrat would vote for the Republican amendments. Carroll, a former governor, said the Republican senators offered the amendments because they know that "David Williams is on the verge of losing control of the state Senate."

In an August special election, Democrat Robin Webb won a state Senate seat formerly held by Republican Charlie Borders, who resigned after being appointed by Beshear to the Public Service Commission. The Republican majority in the Senate decreased to 20-17 with one independent who caucuses with the GOP.

Williams has previously said he expects Beshear to also appoint Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Kelly of Springfield to a judgeship, which would trigger another special election to fill his seat.

During a special legislative session this summer, a measure that would allow slot machines at tracks passed the Democratic-controlled House but did not pass the Senate budget committee. That measure did not include a constitutional amendment, although a conservative group promised to challenge its constitutionality.

Although Democrats have previously supported constitutional amendments, similar proposals are now "too little too late," said former Gov. Brereton Jones, founder of the Kentucky Equine Education Project and owner of Airdrie Stud.

"We tried our best to get them to favor that at a time when it would have done some good," he said.

If slots at racetracks aren't implemented until 2011, Jones predicted that Ellis Park, Turfway Park and The Red Mile would close. "We will have lost thousands of jobs, and a lot of people in the horse industry will have gone bankrupt," he said.

Don Robinson, president of the KTA, said the latest proposals by Williams and Thayer were "very much" efforts to divide racetracks and horsemen. "It's taken us many years to speak with one voice but we're there, and we will stay there," he said.

This story was originally published October 21, 2009 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Two GOP senators to file for gambling amendments."