Gov., House leaders talk gambling, state budget

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March 20, 2008

By RONNIE ELLIS The Glasgow Daily Times Thu Mar 20, 2008, 01:16 PM CDT

FRANKFORT — Time’s running out, but House Democrats and Gov. Steve Beshear aren’t giving up on casino gambling or raising more revenue to avoid cuts in education and health and human services.

Beshear met for about an hour with House Democratic leaders Wednesday, and when they emerged, all sounded as if they were on more or less on the same page for the first time in a fractious legislative session.

“It’s the best meeting we’ve had with the governor,” said Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark, D-Okolona. “He showed some leadership. I thought he was focused on trying to get things off the table.”

One of the things they want to get “off the table” is an amendment to allow casino gambling in Kentucky. Both Beshear and Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, said they are “doing a hard head count” to see how many votes they can secure for a version pushed by Richards which would allow nine casinos with up to five at race tracks. None of the five would be guaranteed, however.

Clark, the horse industry, and Beshear earlier preferred a version which would have restricted five licenses for racing associations. But Beshear said Wednesday his “guess is that the Speaker’s amendment will be the one we’ll coalesce around and try to move it forward.”

They believe there are 50-some votes now in the House for the amendment. A constitutional amendment requires 60 votes in the House to pass and Richards said he’d like to have at least 62 or 63 before calling it for a vote.

House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover, R-Jamestown, this week said that won’t happen. And Rep. Danny Ford, R-Mt. Vernon, said he’s not sure there are 50.

“I don’t see it,” Ford said. “From what I hear (Democratic) members say, I don’t think any of them want to sacrifice their political careers for the governor.”

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