Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Beshear yesterday said he wants to
give people a chance to vote next year on whether to legalize expanded
gambling at racetracks and to open some casinos in Kentucky. Beshear said
expanding gaming would generate $500 million a year for the state, help the
horse industry and stop Kentuckians from going to Indiana and other states
that have casinos and slot machines. But he said he strongly opposes
legalizing slot machines at convenience stores, bars and restaurants.
“Allowing expanded gaming in Kentucky will give us the additional revenue
needed for Kentucky to make a giant leap forward and significantly improve
the lives of all Kentucky citizens,” Beshear said at a press conference in
Frankfort. But gaming opponents and some other gubernatorial candidates said
Beshear’s proposal is either flawed or misguided. “If candidates for
governor really want to show leadership, they would propose a progressive
tax structure adequate to meet our needs in which everyone pays their fair
share — not a plan that calls for just finding some suckers to pay,” said
the Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper, spokeswoman for Citizens Against Gambling
Expansion. Kemper said expanded gambling would not raise $500 million. Even
if it did, she said, proliferation of gambling would have a negative impact
on the state. Beshear, 62, a Lexington lawyer who was lieutenant governor in
1983 and attorney general in 1979, is running with state Rep. Dan Mongiardo,
D-Hazard. He lost a campaign for governor in 1987. Beshear said he would
work on the proposal with the House and Senate during the 2008 legislative
session if elected. To expand gaming, Kentucky would have to change its
constitution. Three-fifths of both the House and Senate would have to
approve putting the question of a constitutional amendment on the ballot
that November. The measure would require the approval of the majority of
those voting to pass. He said he believes voters would approve the measure.
“They know we need to do significant things in order to move Kentucky up, in
order to improve their lives, in order for them to have better-paying jobs,
better education for their children,” he said.