|
Updated: 6:49 PM Feb 14, 2008
Beshear Wants 12 Casinos Across State
KY Gov. Steve Beshear has unveiled a proposal that could legalize casinos in Kentucky. Greenup or Boyd on list
Posted: 1:39 PM Feb 14, 2008Reporter: Associated Press Email Address: news@wsaz.com |
|
23 Comments 
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Gov. Steve Beshear has unveiled a proposal that could legalize casinos in Kentucky.
The newly elected Democrat called Thursday for 12 casinos in various parts of the state.
Although Kentucky has a long tradition of wagering at horse tracks, state law specifically forbids casinos. Beshear wants lawmakers to approve a measure that would allow Kentucky voters to change the constitution to allow them.
Beshear says his proposal could generate $600 million a year in additional revenue for state government after all the casinos are fully operating. He says the proposal also would generate $500 million in upfront application and licensing fees.
BESEHAR PRESS RELEASE:
FRANKFORT, KY (February 14, 2008) – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today unveiled proposed legislation that will allow Kentucky voters to determine a constitutional amendment permitting limited expanded gaming. The governor also discussed details of legislation that would govern the way in which expanded gaming would operate once the constitutional amendment is passed.
“For nearly 15 years this issue has been discussed, debated and yet, deferred. Today, I am taking action and responding to the wishes of the vast majority of Kentuckians by sending to the General Assembly legislation that will give our citizens the opportunity to do as they have demanded – let their voices be heard on whether or not to change the state’s constitution to have limited expanded gaming,” said the governor. “Public opinion research shows that more than 80 percent of Kentucky voters want the right to vote on this issue. It’s past time we acted on that demand and be responsive to the people.”
The language of the proposed constitutional amendment limits the creation of expanded gaming facilities to up to seven licenses for horse racing tracks and up to five free-standing gaming facilities with the approval of voters in the five cities or counties where the proposed casino would be located.
Those counties include Daviess, Kenton or Campbell, Boyd or Greenup, Christian, and either Laurel or Whitely. The taxing rate on the casino revenues is spelled out and, more importantly, the allocation of those revenues for additional services and programs is specified in the legislation, according to the governor.
“We face a financial crisis in this state that is slowly destroying our ability to educate, protect and take care of our people,” said Gov. Beshear. “We no longer have the financial ability to fund the programs we should have in order to meet those needs. Nor do we have the ability to look into the future and begin to build on those opportunities to restore Kentucky’s economic viability. By allowing our fellow Kentuckians to vote on this issue, we are sending a clear message that we are joining with them in finding other ways in which to address this financial crisis.”
The fiscal impact of the proposed gaming legislation indicates total receipts for fiscal year 2009 from facility application and license fees would be approximately $500 million. The estimated gaming receipts for fiscal year 2010 would be approximately $482 million with the majority of those receipts from license fees and wagering taxes.
“If the people of Kentucky vote ‘Yes’ for limited expanded gaming, we strongly believe that the annual estimated fiscal impact of the legislation at full implementation would be approximately $600 million,” said the governor.
The legislation that would be enacted, once the constitutional amendment is approved, contains a number of measures that will assure the people of Kentucky that this initiative will be done correctly and with openness, according to the governor.
Latest Comments
Ok - First our governor cuts the education budget, then he follows up with the casino proposal because we need more money for the education system. Something seems a little wrong with that picture. Besides, wasn't the lottery supposed to be the "cure all" for this. Casinos will only hurt the institution of the family and will help no one.
Donna where do you live?! We can't get a handle on the drug crime going on around here now! The increased revenue would not hire enough police to offset the crime increase. The bottom line is, this is just not sound economic policy. Lest you doubt, I am very much opposed to this on moral grounds. However, there can be no solid growth without real growth in manufacturing or service industries that produce needed goods and services. This business has no safety net in it. It produces nothing lasting that the community needs. The final insult to the injury is the mass exodus of money (that would be turned 5 or 6 times in local business)to places away from here. Read the article! These guys are not going to pay $100 millon for a license fee just so we can be entertained. The short term construction jobs may be attractive initally, but that will soon wear out and we can just sit back and feed the monster we created while the casino owners rape our local economy.
I've lived near a city that had casinos and they didn't have a increase in drugs or crime. More money is wagered on horse racing, lottery, and bingo than at casinos. If people can afford lottery, horse racing, bingo, cigarettes, and booze, they can afford casinos.
|
|
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
- UPDATE: Two More Arrests in Parking Lot Armed Robbery
- Business Destroyed by Fire in Logan County
- NASCAR Racer Visits Charleston
- IRS Warns to Expect Some Refund Delays
- UPDATE: Man Charged in Violent Armed Robbery at Huntington Bar
- St. Albans Man Arrested in Large Drug Bust
- Three Aging W.Va. Power Plants Closing
- Residents Hopeful Dunbar Police Will Move to New Neighborhood
- UPDATE: Name Released in McArthur, Ohio Fatal Fire
- W.Va. Lawmakers Working to Protect More Victims of Stalking and Abuse
- UPDATE: Vigil for Missing 3-Year-Old Girl
430 Comments - UPDATE: New Chief Deputy in Mason County Releases Department Mission Statement
148 Comments - UPDATE: Mother Awaiting Sentence Faces More Trouble
61 Comments - UPDATE: Some Questions Remain Unanswered in Deadly CO Leak
48 Comments - UPDATE: Man Accused of Victimizing Elderly Found Guilty of Kidnapping; Victim Dies
40 Comments - UPDATE: Two More Arrests in Parking Lot Armed Robbery
24 Comments
- Same-sex marriage OK'd in Washington
- 10 states freed from 'No Child Left Behind'
- Embattled LA school reopens
- Mississippi pardons to be challenged at court hearing
- Authorites probe 911 response to Josh Powell's home
- Hotel workers in New York to get panic button
- Resolution to N. Dakota school nickname dispute still seems far off
- The deadly path to legal status
- Birth control by vending machine
- Sound recordings amend history
- Video of Chinese toddler sobbing in snow sparks outrage
- Challenger to Chavez showing strength in Venezuela
- Spy agency called before Pakistani high court
- Court suspends Spain's most famous judge
- Deposed president faces arrest in the Maldives
- Greek leaders ready to back austerity deal
- More than 700 suffer food poisoning after Mexico rally
- Asylum or 'medical leave' for Chinese crime buster?
- UK: 'No negotiations' on Falklands
- Freeze strains Ukrainian EMS
- Band camp, other clubs suspended
- Champion remembered at event
- More members accused of hazing
- Sandusky urged to stay inside
- Words matter in Penn State case
- Out-of-county jury for Sandusky?
- 4th accuser drops abuse allegations
- Accuser pleads guilty to child sex
- Attorney: Victims to sue university
- Miss. high court considers pardons
- Don Banks: Biggest offseason questions in the NFL
- Offseason road map for all 32 NFL teams
- Live Blog: Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach Pro-AM
- Seth Davis: Eustachy's second chance could lead Southern Miss to NCAAs
- PGA Tour: Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Rangers, Cruz agree to two-year, $16M contract
- With Lin emerging, Knicks games added in Asia
- SB Nation: Explaining Lin's surprise early success
- 'Oil Can' Boyd admits pitching while high on coke
- Leafs, Wings set for '13 Winter Classic
 |
SOMC
Very good things are happening here. Click here to learn more |
 |
Click here for school closings and delays |
 |
Watch the Lottery Live Monday - Saturday @ 6:59pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. Need to check your numbers? Click here. |
 |
Watch the Ohio Lottery Drawings weeknights @ 7:29pm and Cash Explosion Saturday @ 7:30pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. |
 |
Click here to donate and help WSAZ help children at risk in our region. Thank you. |
 |
Click here to see how our partners are making Moms and women's lives easier. |
