By Todd Hatton
Murray, KY – Gov. Steve Beshear's efforts to get lawmakers to approve a "simple" constitutional amendment to open Kentucky to casino-style gambling have been complicated by a bitter partisan fight over legislative redistricting. Three weeks into the legislative session, Beshear's proposal still hasn't been introduced in the Senate. The second-term Democrat had pledged to "very aggressively" push to allow Kentuckians to wager on more than horse races in the Bible-belt state with a Constitution that frowns on casinos. Senate Democratic Floor Leader R.J. Palmer II of Winchester said he anticipates filing the bill by the end of January. Lawmakers have downplayed the effect the redistricting fight might have on gambling. But some rankled House Republicans might not want to support a measure pushed by the same Democrats who changed their district boundaries.