Louisville Courier Journal Editorial: Political Roulette.
Political roulette
It may take a while to sort out some of the lessons of Tuesday's state Senate election in Central Kentucky, but one consequence is clear: Gov. Steve Beshear's effort to build a Senate majority willing to expand gambling in the state has taken a hard hit, and Senate President David Williams' ability to resist the Governor's plans has been strengthened.
The results by themselves don't indicate whether voters are for or against wider gambling, despite expenditures of hundreds of thousands of dollars by horse racing interests on behalf of the defeated Democratic candidate, former state Rep. Jodie Haydon. The winner, Republican state Rep. Jimmy Higdon, had softened his own anti-gambling stance, saying he favors putting a referendum to the electorate (without confiding how he would vote).
Moreover, there were other factors: Republicans emphasized criticism of Democrats nationally; turnout was low; the 14th District has been represented by a Republican for 19 years; personal and local angles tend to be important in such races.
Nonetheless, the results do suggest at a minimum that the voters were not decisively swayed by pro-gambling arguments.
Given the devastating revenue losses and budget cuts faced by state government, coupled with the exodus of race horses and breeding stock to states with purses and breeding incentives that are enhanced by slots and casinos, this would be a good time to remind Kentuckians of the consequences of failing to take advantage of revenues from expanded gambling that could benefit both the state treasury and the horse industry.
Mr. Beshear, for his part, should consider giving the 2010 legislature two budget proposals — one containing the sorts of education cuts and state layoffs that would be necessary to cope with the further deep revenue shortfalls that he anticipates, the other bolstered with taxes and licensing fees from expanded gambling.
The horse industry should make vivid what lies at the foot of the cliff to which it is clinging. Without additional gambling revenue, for example, Ellis Park and Turfway Park are likely to close, year-round racing in Kentucky will become a thing of the past, breeding operations will shrink or disperse, and Kentucky thoroughbred sales will atrophy.
Meanwhile, Gov. Beshear's strategy of transforming the Senate has had successes, but it has fallen short, at least for the near future. Sen. David Williams retains control of the Senate, but his unyielding opposition to expanded gambling produces no positive benefits for this struggling state.
They owe it to Kentuckians to talk directly about compromise — perhaps a blend of a modest expansion of gambling at existing racetracks with some of Sen. Williams' ideas for other types of aid to the budget and the horse industry.
Raw politics has not been fruitful. Give statesmanship a chance.
It may take a while to sort out some of the lessons of Tuesday's state Senate election in Central Kentucky, but one consequence is clear: Gov. Steve Beshear's effort to build a Senate majority willing to expand gambling in the state has taken a hard hit, and Senate President David Williams' ability to resist the Governor's plans has been strengthened.
The results by themselves don't indicate whether voters are for or against wider gambling, despite expenditures of hundreds of thousands of dollars by horse racing interests on behalf of the defeated Democratic candidate, former state Rep. Jodie Haydon. The winner, Republican state Rep. Jimmy Higdon, had softened his own anti-gambling stance, saying he favors putting a referendum to the electorate (without confiding how he would vote).
Moreover, there were other factors: Republicans emphasized criticism of Democrats nationally; turnout was low; the 14th District has been represented by a Republican for 19 years; personal and local angles tend to be important in such races.
Nonetheless, the results do suggest at a minimum that the voters were not decisively swayed by pro-gambling arguments.
Given the devastating revenue losses and budget cuts faced by state government, coupled with the exodus of race horses and breeding stock to states with purses and breeding incentives that are enhanced by slots and casinos, this would be a good time to remind Kentuckians of the consequences of failing to take advantage of revenues from expanded gambling that could benefit both the state treasury and the horse industry.
Mr. Beshear, for his part, should consider giving the 2010 legislature two budget proposals — one containing the sorts of education cuts and state layoffs that would be necessary to cope with the further deep revenue shortfalls that he anticipates, the other bolstered with taxes and licensing fees from expanded gambling.
The horse industry should make vivid what lies at the foot of the cliff to which it is clinging. Without additional gambling revenue, for example, Ellis Park and Turfway Park are likely to close, year-round racing in Kentucky will become a thing of the past, breeding operations will shrink or disperse, and Kentucky thoroughbred sales will atrophy.
Meanwhile, Gov. Beshear's strategy of transforming the Senate has had successes, but it has fallen short, at least for the near future. Sen. David Williams retains control of the Senate, but his unyielding opposition to expanded gambling produces no positive benefits for this struggling state.
They owe it to Kentuckians to talk directly about compromise — perhaps a blend of a modest expansion of gambling at existing racetracks with some of Sen. Williams' ideas for other types of aid to the budget and the horse industry.
Raw politics has not been fruitful. Give statesmanship a chance.
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