Lawmakers React To Casino Bill Roadblock

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Posted: 12:30 PM Feb 27, 2008
Last Updated: 1:38 PM Feb 27, 2008

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There may be more life in the casino gambling bill.

Kentucky house speaker Jody Richards tells 27 NEWSFIRST that he expects more action on the legislation, possibly before week's end.

Richards says he hopes there will be a meeting this week before next week's regularly scheduled committee meeting on the casino gambling bill.

The speaker says he doesn't want the constitutional amendment that's being put before voters cluttered up with a specific number of casinos for the horse tracks. But some lawmakers in Frankfort say that industry needs to be guaranteed casinos.

Governor Beshear wasn't happy that the main bill didn't pass out of committee on Tuesday and told lawmakers to get their act together.

During the meeting Tuesday, Dottie Sims first voted for a proposal calling for 9 casinos, not guaranteeing a certain number for the tracks, but then she changed her vote. Because of that, Richards removed her from the committee saying that here in Frankfort, your word is your bond.

We left messages for her, but she has not called us back.

Richards says he does favor a specific number of casinos at tracks in a separate bill from the constitutional amendment.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Feb 28, 2008 at 11:45 AM
I plan to squander my life's savings at the casinos! Hooray! Thanks, Gov!

Posted by: Sue Location: Do I have to say Ky? on Feb 27, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Statement by Governor Beshear On Proposed Expanded Gaming Amendment “I am encouraged by the quick response to my call for action to move a version of this amendment along. I am aware of the concerns that Kentucky’s signature industry - the horse industry - has about this version of the amendment, and I plan to continue meeting with House leadership to find a way to address those concerns.” Now I Know why Beshear wants gambling He Knows how to stack the deck!

Posted by: rich Location: belfry, ky on Feb 27, 2008 at 06:23 PM
I live on the border of Willianson, WV where gambling is legal. Where in the world are all benifits created by gambling in this one horse town? They can't even afford adiquate police protection. And to beat it all this is the county seat; what a joke. If casino gambling is so lucrative then why not be state run and operated? Kentuckys horse industry is well aware of all the in's & out's of wagering. Underhanded politics prevail once again! Steve Breshear & Co. owe thier political lives to the special intrest out of state casino groups. Jody Richards pulled a rabbit out of his hat by replacing one vote with two. dirty, dirty, dirty... Thanks to Sen. Williams, this piece of garbage legislation will never make it. Do you want to replace My Old Kentucky Home with My New Kentucky House of Ill Repute? It's a sad day for democrats...

Posted by: Virgil Location: Richmond/Irvine on Feb 27, 2008 at 05:37 PM
COWARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! revoting without giving the public a chance to attend the meeting. COWARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mr Richards is the lowest form of politician one who forms committes based on those who will do what he wants. COWARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have a newly elected DEMOCRAT governor who whines and balks at the actions of the Officials responsible for passing bills to the house and state senate. COWARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No one is safe in Frankfort as long as they have a differing opinion than Beshear or Richards. COWARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: mark Location: morehead on Feb 27, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Impeach Breslar and Walter Blevins. They are wanting the casinos to line their own pockets. Walter Blevins does not live in the district inwhich he represents.

Posted by: ghettochip Location: richmond on Feb 27, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Mike in Ca ROCKS! Felcher sucked the life out of us and Beshear is giving us the final kick in the gut. Politicians are the rats of society.

Posted by: Dave Location: Mousie Ky on Feb 27, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Hey Beshear, a full house beats a joker any day don't it. By the way who gives a rats (edited) about casinos. Why isn't Beshear trying to do something about gas price gouging in Kentucky. Or is the casino talk just a smoke screen for it. Seems he could create a lot of revenue for the people of Kentucky by addressing the gas price issue. Forget casinos, weather radios, spiked shoes, no smoking, address the problems at hand. Don't hide behind all that junk. US'NS KANTUKINS NEEDES DUN'T NO NO BEDDER. We are not all dumb Beshear.

Posted by: Sherry Location: Morehead on Feb 27, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Sounds to me like Mr. Richards is mad because he didn't get his way. GROW UP! Realize that, in this society, people are entitled to change their mind. What if everybody on the committee changed their mind; would everybody on the committee be removed? If this happened, who would vote for Beshear's precious gambling amendment? I am sure that he is shoving this down our throats to please the people who donated money to his campaign specifically to make sure that they get casino gambling in Kentucky. I agree with ImpeachBeshear; we DO NOT want this type of corruption in Kentucky. Anything that comes along with this cannot be good. Broken homes, crime, or worse. Will he be able to explain to the children of a gambling addict why they don't have food on the table or a roof over their head? Mr. Beshear apparently isn't worried about taking care of the citizens of Kentucky just his self and his casino supporters.

Posted by: Mike Location: Ca on Feb 27, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Oh sure those churches will "preach" against casinos. Why, that would cut into their Bingo money. Idiot governor? Which one, Flunkie, I mean Fletcher had his chance and blew it. Think of it as "gawd's will". Maybe they'll just start taxing churches since they don't talk about anything but politics anymore. Jesus wasn't a Republican!!

Posted by: ImpeachBeshear Location: Paintsville on Feb 27, 2008 at 02:12 PM
So here we go again. The House votes on the issue and Beshear whines his way to the bank. I hope this issue stays tied up in the committee forever. But if it does go to public vote I can't wait to vote it down. It is an embarrassment as a state that we would even consider this proposal. Where is our current revenue from the lottery? Is it in our schools? Is that why our schools are facing budget cuts handed down by our idiot of a governor? His scare tactics will not influence the thousands of churches in our great state that know the difference between right and wrong. Beshear has his high dollars friends that have bought him off. But he cannot buy off God from our state. Our state does not want the corruption, the crime, or the broken home from fathers who will waste their families paycheck at these casinos. The casinos will get the money, not our schools or hospitals. Wake up Beshear! Just because you've sold your soul, doesn't mean you have to bring Kentucky down with you.

Posted by: Tucker Location: Winchester on Feb 27, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Stacking the deck and assuring votes as Richards puts it"Your word is Bond" I beleive is illegal. This shows how corrupt our governement in Frankfort is. Beshear is more a dictator and cummunist leader being that he does not allow legislatures and public to speak their mind, but only creates committees that assures his bill will pass. Shame on him and shame on those who voted him in. He will become more like Hitler as this issue grows larger.

Posted by: JOE Location: KY on Feb 27, 2008 at 01:17 PM
WHY CANT JODY RICHARDS DROP THE ISSUE ON CANSIONS LOOKS LIKE THE PEOPLE ON THESE COMMENTS ARE ALL AGAINST IT . SO COME ON JODY DROP IT . WE THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY DONT NEED THIS .

Posted by: Jeb Location: Ky on Feb 27, 2008 at 01:03 PM
You have got to be kidding me. Jody Richards said that "here in Frankfort, your word is your bond?" Since when? Politicians flip flop all the time; both parties! That is the most ridiculous statement ever. So just because she went against the governor's wishes, she was ousted. That's right governor and house speaker, fire everyone until you find all the YES men and women you need to get your way. It doesn't matter what the rest of the elected people think now does it. And we wonder why we get call nothing but a bunch of rednecks or hillbillies.

Posted by: Richard on Feb 27, 2008 at 12:40 PM
When is it with any politician that there word is their bond. This soundto me like Richards is romoving her because he sidnt like the way she voted. You cant trust Beshear all he wants is to be paid more from his gambling supporters. Gov Beshear quit trying to ruin our our great state of KY.

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