“For nearly 15 years this issue has been discussed, debated and yet, deferred," said Beshear. "I am taking action and responding to the wishes of the vast majority of Kentuckians by sending to the General Assembly legislation that will give our citizens the opportunity to do as they have demanded – let their voices be heard on whether or not to change the state’s constitution to have limited expanded gaming."

According to the governor\'s office, public opinion research shows that more than 80% of Kentucky voters want the right to vote on this issue. "Its past time we acted on that demand and be responsive to the people," said Beshear.

The governor wants to create up to seven licenses for horse racing tracks and up to five free-standing gaming facilities in the five counties, as well as a separate casino.
Those counties include Daviess, Kenton or Campbell, Boyd or Greenup, Christian, and either Laurel or Whitely.

Funds from gambling taxes would be used to finance the state government budget.
“We face a financial crisis in this state that is slowly destroying our ability to educate, protect and take care of our people,” said Gov. Beshear. “We no longer have the financial ability to fund the programs we should have in order to meet those needs. Nor do we have the ability to look into the future and begin to build on those opportunities to restore Kentucky’s economic viability."

The fiscal impact of the proposed gaming legislation projects total receipts for fiscal year 2009 from facility application and license fees would be about $500 million. The projected gaming receipts for fiscal year 2010 would be approximately $482 million with the majority of those receipts from license fees and wagering taxes.

“We strongly believe that the annual estimated fiscal impact of the legislation at full implementation would be approximately $600 million,” said the governor.
The bill that would be enacted, once the constitutional amendment is approved, contains a number of measures that will assure the people of Kentucky that this initiative will be done correctly and with openness, according to the governor.

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Those details include:

* Establishment of a seven-member Gaming Commission with four-year terms, appointed by the governor and approved by the state House and Senate, which would hire an executive director to oversee the day-to-day operations of the commission.

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