FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Opponents of a plan to legalize video slot
machines at Kentucky's horse racing tracks packed the Capitol on
Tuesday, urging lawmakers to reject the plan in anticipation of a
possible vote later this week.
Two other proposals - a package of economic development tax
breaks, and a plan for the proposed Ohio River bridges - advanced
past a House committee. But the major focus remained on video
gambling.
On the surface, more talk than action surrounded the gambling
measure on the Kentucky General Assembly's second day in special
session. But House lawmakers worked behind the scenes on a massive
statewide school construction plan that would be funded in part by
revenue from additional gambling.
"I think we had some bumps in the road," said state Rep. Larry
Clark, a Louisville Democrat pushing the gambling proposal. "But I
think there's momentum now."
Gov. Steve Beshear has called the legislature into a special
session to consider a plan to boost the state's horse industry by
allowing race tracks to operate video slot machines. Lawmakers are
also considering other measures including a plan to offset an
estimate $1 billion budget shortfall.
Clark, the speaker pro tem, emerged Tuesday from a closed-door
meeting of House Democrats and said he expected the plan could win
committee approval Thursday and face a floor vote by Friday. Clark
said he feels good about the plan's chances.
Lawmakers did not take any official action on the budget or
gambling proposals Tuesday. But other measures saw movement.
A House panel approved a plan offering tax breaks aimed at
attracting new business to Kentucky and retaining existing ones.
The same panel also approved a proposal that, among other things,
would create the Kentucky Public Infrastructure Authority and allow
it to impose tolls to help pay for new bridges over the Ohio River
into Indiana.
Kentucky's share of the Louisville project - which includes new
bridges and a redesigned Spaghetti Junction - is expected to be
$2.9 billion, with Indiana's about $1.1 billion. Lawmakers have
also discussed a bridge over the Ohio River near Henderson, Ky.
The same House panel approved a measure that would benefit
current Kentucky companies that retool their facilities and retrain
workers. It also offers incentives aimed at landing a NASCAR Spring
Cup race in Kentucky and drawing a Breeders' Cup championship.
The University of Kentucky would also be authorized under the
proposal to work with private donors to build a new basketball
arena and baseball stadium.
Both measures head to the full House for consideration.
Nevertheless, the gambling issue remained in the spotlight as
the session's hot topic. While about 300 opponents flocked to the
Capitol to oppose the plan, a group of pro-gambling supporters were
expected to rally on Thursday.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo, a Prestonsburg Democrat, said
lawmakers are considering using gambling revenue to build about
$708 million in new schools. Stumbo told reporters the plan would
use about $61 million in annual revenue to pay off school
construction bonds.
Still, Nora Dettman, a retiree from Ratliff, rode two hours with
a church group to take part in the rally opposing gambling because
she fears elderly Kentuckians on fixed incomes will be preyed upon.
"The majority of people you see in these places are senior
adults hoping to get rich quick," she said. "But it doesn't
happen that way.
The Rev. W.B. Bingham III, pastor of Binghamtown Baptist Church
in Middlesboro, said 80 people boarded buses for the three-hour
ride to Frankfort to take part. Bingham said they want to protect
children from the possibility of addicted parents wagering away
money that could be used to buy food and clothing.
"We love children, and expanding gambling will definitely
affect Kentucky's children," he said. "That's our number one
concern. How can we afford to expose them to another form of
addiction?"