Lexington Herald Leader: Remove Slots From Agenda For Session.
Remove slots from agenda for session
Kentuckians have debated the merits of expanding gambling for 15 years without any action or resolution.
That alone would argue that the decision on whether to expand into slot machines or other casino-like games should not be resolved in a short special session with other grave issues to address.
But there are larger, more serious issues that argue the only way to resolve this question is with a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment.
First, it's what an overwhelming majority, in the range of 80 percent, of voters have said they want in poll after poll.
Second, there's serious question whether any action short of an amendment approved by voters can stand up to a legal challenge.
Five attorneys general have issued opinions on whether the Kentucky Constitution allows expanded gambling. All but one concluded that the constitution forbids it.
Third, what the legislature does can be undone.
This last point carries great weight on at least two fronts.
Start with the potential impact on the horse industry, which is pushing hard for video lottery terminals, aka slots, at tracks as a way to subsidize racing.
That economic model's hope of success rests on keeping slots only at tracks. But each time the legislature meets, the law could be amended.
Lottery tickets are sold at about 2,860 locations. If a bill to expand lottery offerings to include VLTs should become law and survive a legal challenge, it seems inevitable that in future sessions locations other than the handful of racetracks will want a piece of the action. If they successfully press their case, racetracks would face even more competition for gambling dollars.
A related issue is the certainty of political corruption if expanded gambling can be tweaked each time the legislature meets.
It wasn't that long ago that legislators sold votes on gambling and racing issues for as little as $400. (For details go to the Herald-Leader archives online and search for BOPTROT.)
Corruption is the disease that's killing Kentucky. Putting slot machines and the millions they promise into play in each legislative session will not be a cure.
This is just what recommends a constitutional amendment. It is a long, arduous process to change the constitution, as it should be.
In the long term, both the horse industry's interests and Kentucky's hope of political integrity would be better served if the terms of expanded gambling were securely locked up in a constitutional amendment.
The governor and the General Assembly have hard work to do. We are facing the worst fiscal crisis in decades and Kentucky desperately needs to overhaul its antiquated tax structure. The list goes on.
Gov. Steve Beshear said when he announced slots would be on his agenda for this session that a bill might not pass, but it's time the legislature voted up or down after 15 years of talk.
It's the right idea, but expanded gambling will never be put to rest until the people have voted on it.
The legislature can propose constitutional amendments for the people to vote on only in regular sessions. Beshear should remove slots from this session, but press the General Assembly in next spring's regular session to pass an amendment to be on the ballot the following November.
Kentuckians have debated the merits of expanding gambling for 15 years without any action or resolution.
That alone would argue that the decision on whether to expand into slot machines or other casino-like games should not be resolved in a short special session with other grave issues to address.
But there are larger, more serious issues that argue the only way to resolve this question is with a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment.
First, it's what an overwhelming majority, in the range of 80 percent, of voters have said they want in poll after poll.
Second, there's serious question whether any action short of an amendment approved by voters can stand up to a legal challenge.
Five attorneys general have issued opinions on whether the Kentucky Constitution allows expanded gambling. All but one concluded that the constitution forbids it.
Third, what the legislature does can be undone.
This last point carries great weight on at least two fronts.
Start with the potential impact on the horse industry, which is pushing hard for video lottery terminals, aka slots, at tracks as a way to subsidize racing.
That economic model's hope of success rests on keeping slots only at tracks. But each time the legislature meets, the law could be amended.
Lottery tickets are sold at about 2,860 locations. If a bill to expand lottery offerings to include VLTs should become law and survive a legal challenge, it seems inevitable that in future sessions locations other than the handful of racetracks will want a piece of the action. If they successfully press their case, racetracks would face even more competition for gambling dollars.
A related issue is the certainty of political corruption if expanded gambling can be tweaked each time the legislature meets.
It wasn't that long ago that legislators sold votes on gambling and racing issues for as little as $400. (For details go to the Herald-Leader archives online and search for BOPTROT.)
Corruption is the disease that's killing Kentucky. Putting slot machines and the millions they promise into play in each legislative session will not be a cure.
This is just what recommends a constitutional amendment. It is a long, arduous process to change the constitution, as it should be.
In the long term, both the horse industry's interests and Kentucky's hope of political integrity would be better served if the terms of expanded gambling were securely locked up in a constitutional amendment.
The governor and the General Assembly have hard work to do. We are facing the worst fiscal crisis in decades and Kentucky desperately needs to overhaul its antiquated tax structure. The list goes on.
Gov. Steve Beshear said when he announced slots would be on his agenda for this session that a bill might not pass, but it's time the legislature voted up or down after 15 years of talk.
It's the right idea, but expanded gambling will never be put to rest until the people have voted on it.
The legislature can propose constitutional amendments for the people to vote on only in regular sessions. Beshear should remove slots from this session, but press the General Assembly in next spring's regular session to pass an amendment to be on the ballot the following November.
Labels: General information
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 1:37 PM
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