Hundreds rally in support of Kentucky racetrack VLTs

Hundreds of backers of a proposal to add video lottery terminals at Kentucky racetracks gathered Wednesday at the State Capitol in Frankfort, with the large gathering including dignitaries including Gov. Steve Beshear, former Gov. Brereton Jones, and 2009 Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel.

"I want to be here. We need this bad," Borel told reporters gathered of his reason behind becoming a spokesperson for the VLT proposal.

While the several hundred supporters gathered and listened to speeches, including one from Gov. Beshear, members of the House Licensing and Occupations Committee were listening to a new proposal presented by House Speaker Greg Stumbo that would increase the amount of money from the VLT revenue to build new public schools to $1.34 billion. Included among that list is a $130 million research center for the University of Kentucky.

"We can't do a thing that's more progressive, we can't do a thing that's better for our children, than what we're proposing to do right here," Stumbo told Committee members. “That’s well worth whatever risk there might be in supporting this legislation."

While Beshear’s original VLT proposal calls for a total of $360 million in licensing fees from the racetracks, Stumbo’s bill calls for a total of $510 million in fees and would give the tracks five years to pay instead of the two-year plan of Beshear’s.

Senate President David Williams, an adamant opponent of any expanded gaming at the tracks, said he would separate VLT revenue from any school funding if the bill reaches the Senate.

“Now they are just brazenly buying votes. Some things don't change, I guess," Williams was quoted as saying.

The House budget committee is expected to vote on Stumbo’s bill on Thursday.

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