VIDEO: State Senate President David Williams says he will keep fighting gambling legislation

State Senate President David Williams reiterated his strong opposition to expanded gambling in Kentucky Tuesday during a speech to business leaders in Corbin, calling it "predatory" and harmful to Kentucky’s poorest citizens.

Williams (R-Burkesville) talked about the issue, and others, during a speech at the monthly membership luncheon of the Corbin Chamber of Commerce held at the town’s Center for Technology and Community Activities.

"I think if expanded gambling and slot machines are the answer to your question, then you’ve asked the wrong question," Williams said. "Where will people go when they lose their rent money, when they lose their grocery money, when they lose their money to pay child support? What agency will they report to."

Williams lashed out at the political atmosphere surrounding the issue in Frankfort, saying talk about gambling has "poisoned the well" and made it difficult to find legislative agreement on other issues. He accused Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear of attempting to change the makeup of the Kentucky Senate by luring Republican Senators who opposed gambling with offers of other political jobs like chairmanship of the Public Service Commission and judgeships.

He also accused Beshear of manufacturing budget crises in order to try to scare lawmakers into passing a gambling bill as a way to shore up budget shortfalls.

"He has declared one crisis after another after another … he has to have a crisis to justify slot machines."

The most current proposal before the General Assembly would allow Kentucky’s horse racing tracks to add slot machines to their lineup of on-site betting and off-track pari-mutual wagering. Williams opposed the bill when it was presented. Officials at some Kentucky horse tracks, particularly Churchill Downs, have complained that horse owners and trainers are being lured to tracks in other states able to offer higher purses because they are supplemented with revenue from slot machines or other forms of gambling.

Williams noted that while Whitley County does not have a horse track, that it would still be an ideal place for proponents of casino gambling to locate slot machines since it would likely capture the Knoxville, Tenn. market. Currently, all the proposed licenses for slots would go to existing tracks except one, which is open. In late 2005, the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority denied racing dates by investors who wanted to open a standard bred and quarter horse racing track on property near I-75 Exit 11 in Williamsburg, or on Hwy. 25 West near Exit 15. It was to be called Cumberland Downs.

Owners of Keeneland race course in Lexington and Turfway Park in Florence objected to assigning Cumberland Downs dates because planners didn’t have a license, and because they said it would have a negative impact on wagering at their off-track betting facility in Corbin.

Williams hinted that if expanded gambling passes the legislature, a racetrack like Cumberland Downs might locate in the county.

"I can’t imagine anything good happening by putting three or four thousand slot machines in Corbin and Williamsburg in order to try to get the Knoxville market …" Williams said.

During the meeting, Williams also lauded some legislative achievements this past year, including a bill that would allow soldiers to avoid paying state income taxes on their military wages.

Williams spoke briefly about the 5,000-seat Southeast Kentucky Agriculture and Exposition Center, located in south Corbin. The facility, which bears his name, will benefit from a new law that allows sales tax garnered from ticket sales and other commerce at The Arena, and other similar venues across the state, can now be used to invest back in the facility. He said that while it is unlikely any new state funds are in the pipeline to help pay the city’s $11 million debt on the structure, that the new law will help it to become sustainable.

Williams also mentioned planning with Arena and city officials a fundraising event to be held at the facility annually that would benefit families of Kentucky soldiers.

Cumberland Healthcare Incorporated sponsored the luncheon.