Kentucky lawmakers denied a measure to put slots at state horse tracks this week, despite desperate pleas by the racing industry and the governor that expanded gambling is critical to avoid wasting the state's "signature industry." Now, the spurned supporters of introducing slot machines are saying they'll target opponents within the next general election, trying to replace them with legislators more amenable to the cause."Elections do matter, and who we've got representing us in Frankfort does matter," Patrick Neely, executive director of the Kentucky Equine Education Project, told the Louisville Courier-Journal.
The state Senators who helped prevent Governor Steve Beshear's proposal from advancing beyond the cheap committee hearing are worried enough concerning the threat to already start pleading with the pony industry to keep in mind the days they sided with racing. Obviously worried that public anger at their decision can be easy to inflame, some Senators were desperate to quote policies they supported to racing's benefit.
Ernie Harris, a Senator whose district features a large component of horse country, said, "Those folks in political office always know that we'll be held in control of our votes."
But Harris reminded racing insiders that he had asked Beshear to seek out funding within the budget to extend breeding incentives by the state. He didn't touch upon where such money could be found, with the state already facing a gaping budget deficit and now without gambling revenue to handle the shortage.
Beshear, in his turn, urged Senators to adapt or be banished.
"We've either got to switch one of the state senators' minds or we now have to modify probably the most state's senators," he said.
In the meantime, either side expect a well-funded lobbying campaign will shine a harsh light at the lawmakers who helped defeat the slots proposal.
Published on June 28, 2009 by EdBradley
Read More... [Source: Horse Racing News]
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