The Rural Democrat

Keeling says Bill for Slots is a Long Shot

Keeling sites polling that says Kentuckians want to vote on expanded gaming, but Stumbo seems to be on to something in regards to his claim that the General Assembly can approve slots without a constitutional amendment. Keeling also says that Stumbo's argument that slots can be classified as a common gambling device, like a lottery card, is ridiculous, so I guess Stumbo's argument may not work, even though it may be legal. But he brings up the a real important question; will the Kentucky horse industry survive?

In these hard economic times I can see why some people will damn the thought of expanded gambling but if we stand idle and do nothing, our racetracks will be history in a few short years. I will try and obtain some numbers, if those numbers are available, in regards to the number of folks leaving our tracks for more lucrative opportunities in states that have already approved slots at the tracks.    

Tune in to Kentucky Tonight: Beshear, Stumbo and Williams

This should be fun; we have Governor Beshear, House Speaker Stumbo and Senate President Williams appearing on Kentucky Tonight with Bill Goodman, 8:00PM on KET.\

 I am sure slots at tracks will likely be the issue Williams will push tonight. Hopefully Beshear takes control and the issue of a higher cigarette and alcohol tax is the main issue of the night. We may do a little live blogging tonight, I am still recovering from a great AC/DC concert last night, last time we will see those guys, they are set to retire after this tour. I will post some media of that concert later.

Expanded Gaming will go the State Senate Say Hoover

Amazingly it appears that expanded gaming, slots at tracks, will pass the house, or so says the Minority Leader Jeff Hoover. I believe we have to secure the future of the horse racing industry in Kentucky, now. And I also believe the only way that will happen is to expanded the track's gaming operations. Other states are doing it as we speak.

But we are experiencing an economic recession, the public backlash could be.....

Governor Beshear Makes a Bold Move Against Online Gambling, Tribal Sovernty Not In Play

The political hot potato, that being Tribal sovernty and the rights of Indian Nations to do what they please is NOT in play. Commonwealth of Kentucky lawyers want 141 on-line gambling domains seized. The Franklin County Circuit Court is set to rule on the validity of the domain seizers tomorrow. I expect Judge Wingate to rule in favor of the domain holders not the Commonwealth but this may set precedence that will eventually force regulations in regards to on-line gambling.

But this situation goes a little deeper, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, which controls the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, operates the only servers in North American that hosts the majority of on-line gambling operations. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake is located in Canada and Canadian authorities have said on the record that the Kahnawake Gaming Commission operates their servers illegally but has been reluctant to act on the ruling due to the sensitive political nature of Indian relations in Canada. It was just a matter of time before someone challenged the legality of the Kahnawake Gaming Commission's authority to issue licenses or permits to operate on-line gambling operations on their reservation in Canada. Hopefully the Commonwealth's lawyers used this opinion in their case, it creates an avenue to get what they want.

This is a very progressive move by Governor Beshear and his General Council. And already some righty bloggers are trying spin this situation. This situation IS NOT a matter of Indian rights its a matter of right and wrong. The Commonwealth of Kentucky has every right to protect their citizens and maybe this situation will help motivate our government to regulate on-line gambling. There are no rules, no guidelines for odds for on-line gambling. So in reality these on-line gambling operations are no better than your local bookie system. You will never win. 

So let the emails rain, I have already heard from some claiming to be members of the Mohawks of Kahnawá:ke Nation blasting Governor Beshear and trying to convince me to organize an effort to condemn Beshear in the name of Kentucky's Indian people. No dice guys, I stand behind Governor Beshear on this one. And quite ironically their own website declares that the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, the governing body the Nation, is NOT recognized by a large percentage of their members to be their governing body. So let them try and take on the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  

Governor Beshear's First Session a Failure

Times have changed, the days of loyalty to your Governor is over, no matter how important the issues. This session is a complete failure on many fronts, most notably it will be considered a failure and a black X for Governor Beshear's first year in office. The buck stops with him and he must bear the brunt of the criticism.

• Casinos: A 30 day into the session proposal probably is the single most important reason the measure failed. The horse racing industry and the politics surrounding the number of guaranteed gaming facilities at the tracks was a catalyst to delay, obstruct, and ultimately destroy the proposed legislation. It was an orchestrated obstruction of this legislation and it ultimately damaged the relationship between the horsie set and the Governor. Without that team, Casinos will only be a discussion not a reality, ever.
• The Budget: A miserable session and the sweeping cuts issued by Governor Beshear before the session set the stage for a budget that is both anemic and porous. But some legislators managed to get their all important project money during an election year while the mentally retarded and the poor will certainly suffer the consequences of a bleak 2 year budget. But no sweeping vetoes were issued by Beshear in regards to those cuts, so it is business as usual.
• Pension Reform: Beshear is caught in the vortex of damed-if-you-do and damned-if-you-don't in regards to how to lead the charge for his pet legislation. If he does too little he is called out on the floor for not being a leader and if he does too much he is kicked backed into the mansion in a fury by turf protecting legislators. So it is no surprise that pension reform died on the floor.
• Ethics Reform: Shot full of holes and useless, of course dead in the water.
• 70 cent cigarette tax increase: The only time during this session when the press sided with the Governor and praised his leadership was during the debacle of the 70 cent increase in the cigarette tax. But our childish legislative body proved the accusations of being immature obstructionists by pitching a fit at the thought of raising that tax by that amount. Why? It is an election year for many legislators and raising ANY tax can be used against them, EVEN though the majority of the Commonwealth approved of the tax increase. Amazing.

So all of Governor Steve Beshear's initiatives have been killed and nothing of substance has passed this unproductive session of the Kentucky General Assembly. Now the blood bath begins; Stumbo will likely challenge Richards for the top spot in the House and the question everyone will be asking is; will Stumbo seek Beshear's help. I would suspect Beshear to have nothing to do with that, if he is smart. But Stumbo should make his move, even though I was critical of him during the 2007 gubernatorial primary I will support that move, if only for the reason that he would stand up to King David Williams.

Now we wait for a probable extraordinary session of the Kentucky General Assembly. Does Beshear call that session and attempt to flex his executive muscles or does he fall into damage control and prepare for 2010? It will be interesting how he recovers from this terrible session and any Beshear supporter who thinks recovery is not needed, is a fool.   

Will These Secret Budget Negotiations Produce Fruit?

We know we need revenue and we had an opportunity to inject a massive amount of new revenue into the Commonwealth's economy with expanded gaming, but we failed to realize the importance of that strategic plan. Now we have a few choices, yes I am still pounding my shoe on the table about those three choices, casinos, higher taxes, or cut services.

Now it does not matter how many ways you stack crap, at the end of the day it is only stacked crap. This oil painting budget is only a pretty picture of political spin, not a viable budget that will create opportunity for this Commonwealth. The House has the better of the two budget plans, the Senate being the obvious nemesis here. Even with a 25% increase in the cigarette tax it will create revenue, the Senate's plan in regards to a rearrangement in lottery revenues is that classic funny money approach, a political ploy for an election year. Many on the Senate can stand and say "we did not raise taxes" while it will cause cruel hardships on many Kentuckians by not entertaining a higher cigarette tax. It is classic bull shit politics.

The responsible thing to do for this Commonwealth is a massive increase in the cigarette tax, 50 cents or higher and to add tolls to any new mega-project that would require more than $200 million in state funding. That is not creative math, that is simple logic in these tough financial times. Even if it costs our tax payers a few dollars more for a special session, Governor Beshear should outright veto any state budget that does not raise the cigarette tax significantly, also he should slash the House's sneaky 5% increase as well.

Now it is time for Governor Beshear to become an unmovable force of leadership, a responsible general that does not care about reelection in 2011. He needs to stand firm and gather support from both chambers and stand with that support in the face of King David, Rep. Harry "funny money" Moberly and House Speaker Jody Richards and get a budget that is responsible. 

Casinos in Kentucky Are Officially Dead

Again the Kentucky General Assembly refuses to listen to the people and allow a vote for and or against casinos in Kentucky. Governor Beshear has conceded the casino issue in 2008. It is not a victory for any opposition group or any one group of legislators. It is another example of a dysfunctional legislative body and its willingness to allow egos and petty politics to dictate the future of our Commonwealth.

No one can blame Governor Beshear for what is to come, being higher taxes and or massive cuts in services, he tried. If I would have had his ear at the start, I would have begged him to bury the enabling legislation and concentrate on the ballot initiative. But the Commonwealth needed the cash sooner than later, now the Commonwealth gets nothing. 

Governor Beshear Showing Fiscal Responsibility toward Mega-projects

The Kentucky Conservative ideology is flawed, they want to spend bucks we don't have on projects that cost huge bucks. They ridicule the responsible notion that we may have to play catch up to the rest of the nation and stop Kentucky from being a smoker's paradise by adding 70 cents to our behind the times cigarette tax. Casino gaming would have provided a start, not a long term solution. It would have been nice to have an extra billion in the next 2 to 3 years to play with, to fund projects that could provide a boost to our dilapidated economy.

Governor Steve Beshear (D) met with Louisville's Mayor Jerry Abramson (D) and Senate President David Williams (R) today and expressed a responsible concern for the the two mega-projects being considered in Louisville. We pay taxes that keep our cops on the road, keeps the mechanism of government moving. A "use-it" "Tax-it" mentality may be the only way to go, considering Kentucky's thin possibilities for generating more revenue to keep Kentucky moving forward. A toll is not a tax, it is a users fee for driving across a bridge, it pays for itself, what a great concept. But the ridiculous and absolutely ass-backwards conservative mentality in the state is laughable. Can anyone call U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (R) a conservative? He spends cash like its his job. My state representative Charlie Siler (R) has voted for damn near every single tax increase that has hit the House floor for the past 25 years. 

Beshear did not say he wanted tolls, but I agree all options should be on thrown on the table. Williams would rather dictate and demand rather than negotiate. I would expect Williams to continue his resistance toward the notion that we need to provide money for these projects in a manner that is responsible. I expect Williams to start slinging snot anytime now. Just wait for it.

Pol Watchers

FRANKFORT -- Gov. Steve Beshear urged state lawmakers Wednesday to negotiate on the details of a House bill that could pave the way for using tolls to fund mega transportation projects, such as two new bridges in Louisville.

He said he hopes this legislative session will not end without a funding mechanism in place for such projects.

Beshear's comments came after he met privately in his office with Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson. He had met earlier behind closed doors with Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville.

Beshear said Abramson and he urged Williams to form a conference committee of lawmakers from both chambers to discuss House Bill 689. But, so far, "the Senate leadership is reluctant to do anything on this issue."

Ellis: This is the Worst Session Anyone Can Recall

Let the flood of media discontent begin over arguably the worst session of the Kentucky General Assembly in recent memory. Ronnie Ellis is the setup man for the media assassination to come for Governor Steve Beshear (D) in the coming weeks. Lawmakers are using language such as; terrible, awful and disaster in regards to the Commonwealth's budget and we might as well prepare for a special session to complete that budget.

Governor Steve Beshear (D) is standing with his chest stuck out waiting on the media to fire away for his attempt to create a steady revenue stream for our destitute Commonwealth and while everyone wants to stomp on the Governor, I have yet to hear ONE viable alternative in regards to creating more revenue. Of course we could raise taxes, cut everything but our hair but it seems to be business as usual in the Kentucky General Assembly. I would use the following language to describe the pathetic showing of our elected representatives; inept, leaderless, spineless, disrespectful, shortsighted, shallow and in the Senate; just plain scared to death of King David Williams. While I did not agree with Beshear's final showing for casinos in Kentucky, as believe it will ultimately add more volatile fuel to an almost out of control fire, I understand his resolve.

The Governor's staff are blaming House Democrats and House Democrats are blaming the Governor. Someone not only dropped the ball preparing for this session, which was supposed to have been the single most important thing in their lives at that moment, they have put Governor Beshear firmly behind the 8 ball. But at the end of the day, the buck stops at the Governor's desk. Todays approval ratings are meaningless because of the massive Republican oversampling, but Beshear's drop among Kentucky Moderates, 16 point drop to be exact, is scary considering they can make you or break you in Kentucky.

Is Governor Beshear's New Push for Casinos Worth the Risk?

I take pride in the delusion that I seem to know a little bit about politics. I helped steer a wounded Judge Executive whom everyone left for dead through one of the toughest Harlan primary elections ever in 2002 and worked myself into an early grave in Bruce Hendrickson's remarkable victory in last year's Democratic primary for Secretary of State and I wish I would have stayed for the long haul.

Boring you with my paper thin political resume has a purpose, it will hopefully invoke political thought in what I am writing here, a deeper level than usual. Governor Steve Beshear (D) is preparing to unveil a new plan in regards to expanded gaming, a plan some say will push expanded gaming through the House once and for all. Governor Beshear may in-fact enjoy a reversal of fortunes in the House but the red dragon of Cumberland County is waiting and his 666 p.o box in Burksville just reinforces the dragon analogy.

If Beshear stands victorious, hand-in-hand with House leaders, and pushes through some form of expanded gaming legislation will it still be considered a victory after King David Williams sets the legislation on fire with one blast of his dragon breath? Would it be better to cut your losses and prepare for the future?

It will be worth it if: Governor Beshear stands shoulder to shoulder with House leaders rebuking a probable Williams instigated slaying of this new legislation, seeing it makes it through the House first. It will be worth it if the House leaders actually stand with the Governor and for once and shows him his due respect. This scenario will provide Governor Beshear and his administration a much needed infusion of political capitol in the House.

If will be disastrous if: Beshear's new proposal is set on fire in the House, if they turn on him like they did even before the 2008 session began. If one had rolled the bones in late November, they would have realized the fix was in and they would have known Beshear was going to get snubbed in the House. If the new proposal fails to make it out of the House the press will declare a historical failure in this session and Governor Beshear will be lucky if he recovers before the next regular session in 2010.

Quite surprisingly a few in the horse industry are a little chapped at Beshear, Pat Crowley's article this morning reinforced what I have been hearing. Many activists for the horse racing industry are bellowing their displeasure and they are not being shy about it either.

So politically this move by our Governor may be considered genius in a few months or be yet another piece of ammunition provided to our less-than enthused media in regards to this administration. In either scenario it could be argued that one would find something positive to cling on to, the budget, ethics reform, pension reform, and deep six expanded gaming for the moment.