House Debating Slots, Williams Says Bill Dead
The bill to allow slot machines at Kentucky's racetracks is being debated in the House of Representatives today (June 19) and may receive approval before the end of the day. However, State Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, is saying that even if the bill is approved by the House, it is dead on arrival in the Senate. "You can stick a fork in it. It's done," Williams is quoted as saying by The Courier-Journal of Louisville.
Citizens need to continue to call their legislators, however. Tremendous political pressure has been exerted on House members and senators will be under similar pressure.
The number for the Legislative Message Line is 800-372-7181. Concerned citizens should call and leave a message asking their legislators to vote against any effort to expand gambling during the special session. The operator can help direct the message for any caller who is unsure about the names of their legislators.
Here's the story about Williams' remarks from the June 19 issue of The Courier-Journal:
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Senate President David Williams declared the video slots bill dead Thursday — even as it moved toward a vote by the full House — and said the Senate instead would consider his alternative plan to help the horse industry without expanded gambling.
"You can stick a fork in it. It's done," Williams said, repeating earlier pronouncements that the House bill does not have enough support to pass the Senate and raising the prospect of a stalemate between the two chambers.
He also said the Senate likely would put his proposal — which would tax lottery sales and out-of-state betting on Kentucky races as a way to raise racing purses and provide incentives for breeders — into a bill that also will contain revised versions of House-passed economic-development and transportation measures.
Click here to read the full story.
0 Comments posted by: Site Administrator on June 19th, 2009