As Expected, Louisville Courier Journal Smells Political "Blood", Like A Hound Jumps On "David Williams' Gambling Losses".
David Williams' gambling losses
Proponents of expanded gambling in Kentucky may be angered by state Senate President David Williams' stubborn obstruction of their efforts, but they can't argue that he is unfamiliar with the subject.
According to documents filed in his divorce case in 2003, Sen. Williams, R-Burkesville, reported gambling losses of $36,147 in a four-year period of 1999 to 2002. On a yearly basis, the losses ranged from $3,445 in 2000 to $17,889 in 1999.
In fairness, this is not an instance of hypocrisy. Sen. Williams has not opposed casinos or other gambling on moral grounds. He has argued that casinos do not create good jobs and that they can corrupt state politics, and he has insisted — against most of the state's horse industry — that casinos or slots at racetracks would take attention away from racing and hurt business. Politically, moreover, it hardly takes a cynic to suspect that he wants to deny Gov. Steve Beshear, a strong advocate of expanded gambling, a major victory.
But the disclosures raise concerns that Sen. Williams should address. He implied in interviews that he “must have had winnings more than (his declared losses).” Not necessarily. A taxpayer can claim and deduct gambling losses up to the amount of betting income that is reported, but losses could have totaled more — even much more. Given that Sen. Williams has tended to visit out-of-state casinos, it is highly unlikely he came out ahead in any of the four years, let alone all of them. The odds are set to favor the house in casino wagering, and it's a rare player indeed who beats the house over time.
Sen. Williams insists he does not have a gambling problem. Perhaps not, though many families' budgets wouldn't support “recreational gambling” at his level.
It is important that Sen. Williams, a candidate for governor, make appropriate information public. For starters, he should release his tax returns — which, among other disclosures, will include his gambling winnings, reveal whether they were entirely offset by losses and shed light on whether his claim that he has stopped patronizing casinos is truthful. He should also answer questions about his gambling, including the sums that he has won and lost.
What's important is transparency. Anything else is a bad bet.
Proponents of expanded gambling in Kentucky may be angered by state Senate President David Williams' stubborn obstruction of their efforts, but they can't argue that he is unfamiliar with the subject.
According to documents filed in his divorce case in 2003, Sen. Williams, R-Burkesville, reported gambling losses of $36,147 in a four-year period of 1999 to 2002. On a yearly basis, the losses ranged from $3,445 in 2000 to $17,889 in 1999.
In fairness, this is not an instance of hypocrisy. Sen. Williams has not opposed casinos or other gambling on moral grounds. He has argued that casinos do not create good jobs and that they can corrupt state politics, and he has insisted — against most of the state's horse industry — that casinos or slots at racetracks would take attention away from racing and hurt business. Politically, moreover, it hardly takes a cynic to suspect that he wants to deny Gov. Steve Beshear, a strong advocate of expanded gambling, a major victory.
But the disclosures raise concerns that Sen. Williams should address. He implied in interviews that he “must have had winnings more than (his declared losses).” Not necessarily. A taxpayer can claim and deduct gambling losses up to the amount of betting income that is reported, but losses could have totaled more — even much more. Given that Sen. Williams has tended to visit out-of-state casinos, it is highly unlikely he came out ahead in any of the four years, let alone all of them. The odds are set to favor the house in casino wagering, and it's a rare player indeed who beats the house over time.
Sen. Williams insists he does not have a gambling problem. Perhaps not, though many families' budgets wouldn't support “recreational gambling” at his level.
It is important that Sen. Williams, a candidate for governor, make appropriate information public. For starters, he should release his tax returns — which, among other disclosures, will include his gambling winnings, reveal whether they were entirely offset by losses and shed light on whether his claim that he has stopped patronizing casinos is truthful. He should also answer questions about his gambling, including the sums that he has won and lost.
What's important is transparency. Anything else is a bad bet.
Labels: News reporting
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 12:36 PM
1 Comments:
like we need another reason to vote for Phil Moffett... the best choice for governor
http://www.philmoffett.com/donate
ann c
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