Beshear urges more work on casino issue

Gov. Steve Beshear encouraged House Democratic leaders Wednesday to keep pushing for approval of a constitutional amendment allowing casino gambling in Kentucky, House Speaker Jody Richards said.

Richards said "the thrust" of a closed-door meeting with the governor was the casino gambling issue. Asked if the House is going to vote on a casino amendment, Richards said "we hope we can, we still need 60 votes."

The headcount for the measure remains in the 50s, he said. Three-fifths of the 100-member chamber must approve constitutional amendments.

In addition, Richards said he expects the House to reject on Wednesday or Thursday the Senate's changes to a proposed overhaul of the state's retirement systems. A conference committee made up of representatives from both chambers will likely try to reach a compromise.

- Jack Brammer

Comments

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

This is fact, but not complied by the CASINO OWNERS. Please, take time to read it. It is the REAL WORLD in REAL TIME, without perception.

Here is the back up for my claims about Casinos and the social cost . . .jas

The social costs of gambling have been calculated by a number of scholars whose studies were not financed by the casinos. Their calculations were based on the financial impact of pathological gamblers that must be absorbed by government, business and the families.


• $13, 200 per year – estimated by Dr. Robert Goodman of Hampshire College (Massachusetts) in 1994

• $13,585 per year – estimated by Dr. Mary Jane Wisemen in a report prepared for Murray State University in 2001

• $19,000 per year – estimated by Dr. William Thompson of the University of Nevada in 2003

• $11,304 per year – estimated by Dr. Earl L. Grinols of Baylor University in 2004


Presently, Kentucky has 35,000 pathological gamblers. Conservative estimates indicate that the number will jump to 94,200, given the current plan of placing nine casinos into various regions of the state.

Now, let’s Do the Math using a modest $13,000 as the estimated cost per year of each pathological gambler:

Current: 35,000 pathological gamblers = $455 million per year.

With nine casinos: 94,200 pathological gamblers = $1,224,600,000 . . . That’s more than twice the liberally projected revenue that will be received ($600 million).

THAT’S $1.2 BILLION.

There is no way Kentucky can win the casino game.

[luther]

These same gamblers are going to Indiana, Mississippi and North Carolina casinos.

[Joseph Woosley]

You don't triple your gambling base in Kentucky just by putting in Casinos though you might increase the gamblers spending. If someone is a gambler their already gambling via poker tournaments, horse races, online gambling, etc. I'd project a modest 15% increase in chronic gambling due to better proximity of a preferred method of gambling. Have you guys not been behind the scratch of king and queens at the gas station? At least with slots their money lasts a little while.

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

Now that there is a budget, Governor Beshear will try to be able to "muscle more members of THE ASSEMBLY" with the Casino Issue.

It was like a hot potato so the administration took a time out, like you do with an angry or misbehaving child.

Now the push is back and there is a huge load of PORK waiting for those that muscle in.

If you are like so many others and feel this issue is a bad for all of Kentucky, our Culture and our Heritage, then keep sending your comments to members of the General Assembly.

MEDIA RELEASE
March 19, 2008
Contact:
John-Mark Hack
(859) 621-6732

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ONE THING IS CERTAIN:
Governor and House Leadership Can Never Be Accused of Not Paying Their “Gambling Debts”

Say No to Casinos, the educational campaign devoted to distributing scholarly research on the issue of casino gambling in Kentucky, today renewed its call to Governor Steve Beshear and House Speaker Jody Richards to drop their failed effort to bring casinos to the Commonwealth. The campaign issued its comments in response to statements reported Wednesday by Governor Beshear and House Speaker Richards that they will continue to try and muster the votes needed in the House of Representatives to pass a constitutional amendment to allow casinos.

“One thing is certain,” said Campaign Chair John-Mark Hack. “Governor Beshear and House Leadership can never be accused of not paying their ‘gambling debts.’ Casino industry players, from active casino owners under investigation by the IRS and various state regulatory agencies, to prospective casino owners here in Kentucky, have poured millions of dollars into the political causes of Governor Beshear and the state Democratic Party. It seems the beneficiaries of these contributions want to be certain their debts are paid. It’s clear that the Governor is focused almost entirely on his contributors, many of whom are from out of state, rather than his constituents.”

The Say No to Casinos campaign urged citizens to be diligent in reminding their elected representatives that casinos have no place in Kentucky. Based on statements issued by the Governor and the House Speaker, the campaign believes that some House members will come under heavy pressure in coming days to vote to allow casinos.

“The doors have been closed to Kentuckians on this issue,” Hack said. “The backroom dealers are cutting the cards in secret now, and there’s no telling what might come out of their smoke-filled chambers. The gambling industry has always been suspected of and in dozens of cases convicted of bribes and other forms of political corruption,” Hack said. “We hope that our elected leaders aren’t following this industry’s lead by attempting to offer House members any kind of ‘incentives’ to vote for this failed agenda.”

“We would remind House members that the Governor’s casino-centric agenda is deeply tainted by his association with potentially corruptive influences within the casino industry,” Hack said. “This renewed effort is more likely not about getting something passed, but rather about getting more campaign contributions.”

Say No to Casinos is a 501c (3) educational campaign based in Lexington with volunteers throughout the state.

To join the campaign, visit our website at www.saynotocasinos.com or call us at (859) 255-2000.

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

FACT;

Slot machines are the most addictive gambling devices, each day the Gambling Industry takes in 1 BILLION DOLLARS from Slot Machine games.

Next VIDEO GAMES for chance! There are few around, you just have to look.

[nothing but the truth]

Tom Cruise had to deal with Rain Man. Apparently, Kentucky has to deal with Rain Governor.

"Yeah, we need to vote on casino gambling. Yeah, casino gambling, we need to vote on it. Yeah. Casino gambling. Casino gambling. Yeah we need to vote on casino gambling."

[Kelsey]

LET THE PEOPLE VOTE
Go Obama.
Kelsey

[Recall Beshear]

Oh, the people are going to vote, Kelsey. SurveyUSA poll: McCain 64% vs. Obama 28%

LET THE PEOPLE VOTE on recalling Beshear.

Casinos are toast, and so is Obama. And, sooner or later, so will be Beshear, voted today overwhelmingly online as the "worst governor ever". WOW! What a slap!

[BP]

It does look like McCain in Ky, however the Dems have one ace in the hole, they are hoping Forgy will back McCain, and then McCain will be a sure loser.

[Emergency Cash]

Theres nothing wrong with a helping hand......