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Holsclaw: Voters Should Decide

Posted on April 25th, 2011

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It doesn’t matter whether or not she’s for expanded gambling, Bobbie Holsclaw mentions during a press conference. What’s important is that the decision regarding the constitutional amendment doesn’t lie only on one person. Holsclaw believes that Kentucky voters should decide for themselves whether or not they want expanded gambling, via a referendum. In addition, she states that she wants the Kentucky’s Louisville bridges and other transportation projects to be paid by tolls. She is also for constructing nuclear power plants in the east central state. Bobbie Holsclaw, the Jefferson County Clerk, is currently a candidate for governor in the Republican Party.

Kentucky’s incumbent Governor Steve Beshear, a Democrat with plans to run for a second term, is pushing for expanded gambling in the state as well. Kentucky currently permits gambling on bingo, horse races and lotto. Beshear is pushing for the several other forms of gambling to be legalized in the state. This includes video gambling machines at the state’s horse racing tracks. Expanded gambling is touted to bring the state additional $780 million in gambling revenues as well as numerous new jobs, Beshear believes. He also states that expanded gambling will not only help the state solve its budget problems, it will also aid the ailing horse racing industry. His proposal includes contributing $4 million a year to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, which is currently suffering from budget problems. With his stance on expanded gambling, Beshear has inversely been an opponent of online gambling. In 2008, his administration has tried to seize control of around 140 domain names which were related to gambling, claiming that the websites’ operations were illegal and unregulated. The websites were also deemed as an untaxed threat to the horse racing industry
The expanded gambling proposal has several opponents, including Republican Senate President David Williams. According to Williams, the amendment would have no benefit, especially since Kentucky residents are already participating in casino style gambling in other states. Last 2009,Williams put forward a proposal that aims to bring $80 million to the horse racing industry. This will be done by increasing taxes on wagers made outside the state and by adding a 10% tax on lottery tickets. A portion of these taxes will be given to the horse race industry. Thus, Williams believes that the problem can be solved without expanding gambling in the state as there are several other options which they can consider. Williams also believes that the racetracks just want a gambling operation monopoly so that it can acquire around 60% of the profits. According to Williams, another problem that might occur would be that the racetracks might focus on the slot machines instead of horse racing, because of the higher revenues and profits coming from gambling.

Beshear has remained adamant with his stance on expanded gambling. He is also concerned with Williams’ proposal, saying that it’s no longer reasonable for them to get any more money from the general fund. Meanwhile, Holsclaw, disagrees with Williams’ proposal, saying that she is not for tax reforms which would increase the overall tax burden on the constituents. Holsclaw, who is for charters in Kentucky’s elementary and high schools believes that increased revenue from expanded gambling can help pay for the state’s educational programs. She does not want a version of Las Vegas in Kentucky, but she does believe that expanding gambling would indeed help the state’s ailing finances.

However, Holsclaw’s forecast for the additional gambling revenues is much less than Beshear’s. She predicts that it will bring around $300 million instead. Yet Holsclaw remains adamant in her opinion that the Kentucky voters should make a decision regarding the issue since she believes that the most important stakeholders are not being given opportunities to decide on this concern.

For other matters, Holsclaw has also promised during the conference to go against the current federal restrictions on coal mining and to create an investment fund that is meant to bring more investors in the state if elected. Regarding the Jefferson County Clerk’s campaign finances, Holsclaw’s campaign manager, Sarah Reidy, reports that Holsclaw is expecting around $15,000 additional funds in addition to her cash on hand which is close to $15,300.

Presently, Beshear’s proposal to legalize slot machines has still not received approval from the Senate.