Because Steve Beshear can’t not play politics with something as serious as state government and millions upon millions of wasted taxpayer dollars? He and Damon Thayer are unveiling their gambling amendment today. Just 30 minutes after a massive statewide audit was released. All in an attempt to cover up the rampant waste and wrongdoing in the Beshear Administration by flooding the news cycle with talk of gambling – which likely will fail again.

Here it is:

AN ACT proposing a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to casino gaming.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

SECTION 1. IT IS PROPOSED THAT A NEW SECTION BE ADDED TO THE CONSTITUTION OF KENTUCKY TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

Notwithstanding any provision of the Constitution to the contrary, the General Assembly shall by general law authorize the establishment and operation of casino gaming at no more than five horse racing tracks licensed by the horse racing regulatory authority of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and at no more than two other locations. Casinos not located at licensed horse racing tracks shall be located not less than sixty miles from a licensed horse racing track premises. The General Assembly shall provide for the strict regulation of all authorized casino gaming in the interest of the people, and the Commonwealth’s revenue derived from any authorized casino gaming shall be expended for purposes including job creation, education, human services, health care, veterans programs, local governments, public safety, and the support of the horse industry.

Section 2. This amendment shall be submitted to the voters of the Commonwealth for their ratification or rejection at the time and in the manner provided for under Sections 256 and 257 of the Constitution and under KRS 118.415. The question to be submitted to the voters shall read as follows: “Are you in favor of authorizing the General Assembly to permit the establishment and operation of up to seven strictly regulated casinos, up to five of which would be at licensed horse racing tracks, with the Commonwealth’s revenue from them to be spent for job creation, education, human services, health care, veterans programs, local governments, public safety, and support of the horse industry?”

(END)

“The time has come to let the people decide on the issue of expanded gambling,” said Sen. Thayer. “This issue has been lingering in Kentucky for nearly two decades, a majority of Kentuckians wish to vote on it, and the time has come to give them that opportunity.”

What was that, again, about Damon Thayer not having a serious conflict of interest? You can now see it for yourself.

“You continue to hear all kinds of arguments for and against allowing expanding gaming in this state,” Gov. Beshear said. “What you don’t hear, however, is one argument about why the people of Kentucky shouldn’t have a right to vote on it. That’s because there really isn’t a legitimate argument against that. The time for a vote is now.”

What was that, again, about this not being solely for the horse industry? This is granting the constitutional rights of ownership of gambling to five corporations. How, again, is that constitutional? Limiting the operation of casinos to one industry isn’t going to fly with voters.

We all love the horse industry but let’s get real. Not even the liberals are on board. Gambling shouldn’t be limited to just the horse industry if it’s going to be legalized. And if this was about saving the horse industry instead of lining some already wealthy pockets? There are other options involving the lottery that both Beshear and Thayer have been directly involved in discussing.

Note: If you want to see an actual copy of the amendment, click here (Warning: PDF Link) for a scanned image.