Wednesday, 4 November 2009

State Constitution? We Don't Need No Stinking State Constitution!

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The decision yesterday by Ohioans to legalize gambling have the Democrats up at arms over legalizing gambling here in Kentucky.

“Clearly, the time to act on expanded gaming is now,” Beshear said Wednesday in a written statement.” Ohio citizens are going to reap the benefits of thousands of new jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue. Ohio’s decision reinforces the urgency to pass the video lottery terminal bill I proposed earlier this year.”

This makes little sense to me. With every state having gambling, how are we going to reap the benefits of thousands of jobs. All we are going to gain is making a bit of money from Kentucky's gamblers. Why would anyone in Indiana or Ohio or Illinois or Missouri come to Kentucky to gamble when they can gamble in their own state. I just don't believe there is some mystical pile of money to be had from legalizing gambling. There is no magic bean stalk.

But even so, Beshear's plan to legalize slots at racetracks would be unconstitutional! Regardless of lap dog Conway's opinion on the matter, the constitution is pretty clear on gambling. It is illegal. The constitution has been modified once to allow lotteries. Slots are not a form of lottery. For slots to be allowed, the constitution needs to be modified again for this additional form of gambling. Unfortunately, the Dems don't seem to give a damn about our constitution and want to ram through a bill that is likely to be overturned in the court systems.

Williams and other anti-casino groups also called on Beshear to follow Ohio’s lead and allow Kentucky residents to vote on the expansion of gambling. Williams, who opposes slots at the race tracks, said Beshear campaigned in 2007 on the promise that Kentucky voters could vote on the issue of expanded gambling....

“It is the only way to put a resolution on this issue,” said Williams of the constitutional amendment. Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, has said he plans to file a bill soon that would allow voters to decide if gambling should be expanded in Kentucky.

I still think it is bizarre that the Republicans are capitulating on the issue, but the Democrats won't take them up on it. Personally, I don't care if expanded gambling passes or fails. Much like the lottery, expanded gambling won't solve all of our ills. I doubt it will provide much assistance outside of a temporary bump to the race tracks either. But what I do care about is the state constitution. I want them to follow the constitution.

Exit Question: When gambling fails to generate the money they claim it will, what will be the next miracle tonic proposed to save our commonwealth?