Beshear on Expanded Gambling

By Phillip Bailey

Louisville, KY – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear will introduce a constitutional amendment on expanded gaming during the 2012 General Assembly. In his inauguration speech today, Beshear addressed the issue of expanding gambling opportunities. He says an amendment is a better option than changing state law through the legislature, and he wants voters to decide whether to allow more kinds of gambling. Beshear made the issue a centerpiece of his 2007 gubernatorial campaign and his administration has lobbied for it as a means to help the horse industry and fill shortfalls in the state budget. But, the measure has continually failed to pass the Republican-controlled state Senate.