Slots Bill heads to the floor of the House after winning a 19-9 vote in the Appropriations & Revenue Committee Thursday. Four Republicans - Reps. Scott Brinkman, Bob DeWeese, Jimmy Higdon and Lonnie Napier - joined 15 Democrats in supporting the measure. However, Higdon is an unlikely yes vote on the floor. That vote is expected to come Friday morning.
Democrats voting for Ol’ Slots were Reps. Royce Adams, John Arnold, Jesse Crenshaw, Mike Denham, Derrick Graham, Harry Moberly, Fred Nesler, Don Pasley, Sannie Overly, Arnold Simpson, Tommy Thompson, Robin Webb, Ron Weston, Brent Yonts and A&R Chairman Rick Rand. But Simpson made it clear he will vote against the bill on the floor. He favors full casinos and wants one in his downtown Covington district.
Republicans voting against Slots Bill were Reps. Dwight Butler, Jamie Comer, Danny Ford, Marie Rader, Charles Siler and Tommy Turner.
Democrats voting no were Reps. Keith Hall, Jimmie Lee and Jody Richards.
Rep. Jim Wayne, a Democrat, was absent. He previously has recused himself from this issue because of a conflict of interest involving Churchill Downs.
Larry Dale Keeling, a columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader, has spent most of his 35-plus years in journalism reporting on or writing editorials and columns about Kentucky’s politics and political issues. He now brings his experience and expertise on those topics to the KyKurmudgeon blog.
I support full-on casino gambling in Kentucky
So do I. But politically, that will take a constitutional amendment even though it is legally necessary. And the earliest that could happen is November 2010. The racing industry can’t wait that long for help. So, I hope racetrack slots is a first step toward destination resort casinos.
ldk