Casino Bill Appears to Be Dead
It will continue to be talked about and reporters will keep reporting on it, but it appears to me that the casino bill is dead for the 2008 session of the Kentucky legislature. That's what a head count by the Lexington newspaper shows. But House Majority Whip, Rob Wilkey, says otherwise telling the C-J that the vote total is in the mid 50s..
A couple of Democratic House members are telling me that there are a little over 40 votes for the current version of the casino bill, which doesn't provide any guarantees for horse tracks. After a meeting this morning between House democratic leaders and the governor, neither House Speaker Jody Richards nor Gov. Beshear would talk about the number of House members who have committed to vote for the bill. 60 are needed for passage.
Beshear and Richards both say that there won't be any amending of the bill to try and round up more votes in the House. It appears Beshear is trying to twist some arms but could decide soon that there's no way he's going to convince another 20 or so House members to support a bill that's going nowhere. The governor might be willing to let the tortured casino legislation die and blame Speaker Richards for its demise if average Kentuckians start feeling the effects of state budget cuts.
Beshear and Richards both say they assume the other is working as hard they can to sell the casino bill. Richards expressed some optimism that there might eventually be enough votes to pass it. He says the focus on the casino bill is not holding up work on other important legislation, namely, the budget. House democrats are scheduled to caucus on Thursday to talk about two different budget plans, one with tax hikes, the other without. Beshear says he expects House leaders to brief him on their decision on Thursday and that's when he'll take a more definitive stand on raising the cigarette tax.
Comments
I agree with Mr. Hebert, this issue does not have the support of the majority of the house members.
THESE ARE THE (YES) VOTES.
Only 28 A long way from what is needed.
If you have any association with any of these members of the General Assembly call them and let them know your feelings. You might remind them THE NEW ENGLAND DIURNAL OF MEDICINE REPORTS; " GAMBLING IS THE NUMBER ONE MENTAL
HEALTH ISSUE IN THE UNITED STATES
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/
YES (28)
Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook
John Arnold, D-Sturgis
Tom Burch, D-Louisville
Mike Cherry, D-Princeton
Larry Clark, D-Louisville
Leslie Combs, D-Pikeville
Tim Firkins, D-Louisville
Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort
Charlie Hoffman, D-Georgetown
Dennis Horlander, D-Shivley
Joni Jenkins, D-Shively
Dennis Keene, D-Wilder
Jimmie Lee, D-Elizabethtown
Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville
Reginald Meeks, D-Louisville
Charles Miller, D-Louisville
Harry Moberly, D-Richmond
Darryl Owens, D-Louisville
Don Pasley, D-Winchester
Rick Rand, D-Bedford
Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green
Steven Riggs, D-Louisville
Carl Rollins, D-Midway
Arnold Simpson, D-Covington
Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg
Tommy Thompson, D-Owensboro
David Watkins, D-Henderson
Rob Wilkey, D-Scottsville
LEANING YES (9)
Larry Belcher, D-Shepherdsville
Johnny Bell, D-Glasgow
Jim Glenn, D-Owensboro
Jim Gooch Jr., D-Providence
Sannie Overly, D-Paris
John Will Stacy, D-West Liberty
John Tilley, D-Hopkinsville
Robin Webb, D-Grayson
Ron Weston, D-Fairdale
MIGHT WANT TO KEEP THIS LIST FOR THE NEXT ELECTION.
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/
THESE ARE THE UNDECIDED. MAYBE A PHONE CALL OR AN EMAIL ASKING THEM WHY THEY ARE NEUTRAL MIGHT HELP. YOU SIGH INFORM THEM THAT THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ILLS OF THIS LEGISLATION, IN FIVE YEARS KENTUCKY WILL HAVE OVER 60,000 COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS.
FOR EACH COMPULSIVE GAMBLER, THEIR CRASH IMPACTS NOT ONLY THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY, BUT FOURTEEN OTHERS AS WELL. Something to consider!
Milward Dedman Jr., D-Harrodsburg
Bill Farmer, R-Lexington
David Floyd, R-Bardstown
Jeff Greer, D-Brandenburg
Adam Koenig, R-Erlanger
Thomas M. McKee, D-Cynthiana
David Osborne, R-Prospect
Ruth Ann Palumbo, D-Lexington
Dottie Sims, D-Horse Cave
Kathy Stein, D-Lexington
Alecia Webb-Edgington, R-Fort Wright
Susan Westrom, D-Lexington
WON'T SAY (5)
Jesse Crenshaw, D-Lexington
Lonnie Napier, R-Lancaster
Tanya Pullin, D-South Shore
John Vincent, R-Ashland
Addia Wuchner, R-Burlington
WILL ABSTAIN
Jim Wayne, D-Louisville, whose company has a contract with Churchill Downs
AND
YOU MIGHT WANT TO KEEP THIS LIST FOR THE NEXT ELECTION.
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/
Jim Anderson Stivers- Frankfort, KY.
Posted by: JIM ANDERSON STIVERS | March 6, 2008 9:50 AM