Steve Beshear's Racing Plan Chances Will Be Hurt Without David William's Proposal. Read More Below.

Racing officials dispute Williams' plan
By Gregory A. Hall

Racing industry officials said this week that state Sen. President David Williams' proposal to boost purses without expanded gambling wouldn't work.

Williams' plan would tax lottery tickets, out-of-state betting on Kentucky racing and devote $19 million in existing tax revenues tax that currently go to the general fund from the horse industry.

Williams' projections show $83 million for the industry, of which nearly $70 million would go to horse race purses and $13 million would go to breeders' incentives.

But Ellis Park owner Ron Geary complains that Williams' plan doesn't provide revenue to help fund struggling tracks' operations outside of purses, let alone start to make up for years of losses due to casino competition.

"We need a comprehensive solution," he said. "We have to have some time to come back and from my perspective I don't see how his proposal even gives us a chance to do that."

Geary said his Henderson, Ky., track will close unless Gov. Steve Beshear's bill to allow video lottery terminals is approved. Beshear hasn't included Williams' plan on the agenda for the special session that begins Monday. Williams has said leaving his proposal out will hurt the chances of Beshear's own plan.