What are they REALLY saying?: expanded gambling (casino).

Thanks to the Herald Leader for bringing back its "rolling cyber debates" series which examined candidates' stance on a variety of important issues and then published the responses. I am also bringing back my "what are they REALLY saying" series to make the candidates' responses less gimmicky. I, for one, thought the series were especially informative and helpful to voters.

The first question for the fall election centers on expanded gambling.

QUESTION: Would you actively push for a constitutional amendment allowing expanded gaming? If yes, should such an amendment allow free-standing casinos or limit casino gaming to racetracks? How would you vote if such an amendment were on the ballot?

STEVE BESHEAR: Yes, I would actively campaign to pass a constitutional amendment allowing expanded gaming in Kentucky and would vote for it myself. ... Today, thousands of Kentuckians are educating Indiana students and paving West Virginia roads with their entertainment dollar. We need to put Kentucky first. The most conservative estimates put the annual tax revenue from expanded gaming at $500 million per year, every year. Gaming would generate thousands of jobs and would provide much needed funds for every county to improve education, expand health care and thus move Kentucky forward. I also believe the number of locations in Kentucky where expanded gaming would be allowed should be limited and strictly controlled. Those locations should be a combination of racetracks and freestanding facilities.

My view: Steve Beshear has ALWAYS stated that he will actively support a constitutional amendment allowing a vote on whether to allow "limited and strictly controlled" casino gambling. He will also vote for such an amendment.

ERNIE FLETCHER: As I have consistently stated in the past, I will not advocate an amendment to expand casino gambling. Should the legislature choose to offer the issue to the voters, I would support allowing the voters to decide this issue. I would not vote for the amendment. Further, I do not believe it would have a significant positive economic impact on our state.

My view: Ernie Fletcher will allow voters to decide in a constitutional amendment whether to allow casino gambling, "should the legislature choose to offer [the casino gambling] amendment." He will oppose and vote against any efforts to bring casino gambling to his "Kentucky home".

There you have it, the candidates' stance, in their own words.