Kentucky casino proposal poll results announced

A poll published in Thursday’s Lexington Herald-Leader revealed that 81 percent of the 600 likely voters contacted stated they disagreed with the Kentucky General Assembly’s decision earlier this year not to approve a constitutional amendment allowing casinos in the Bluegrass State.

However, about half of the voters said that if the issue went on the ballot, they would vote against it. The earliest a constitutional amendment change on casinos could now be placed on the ballot is not until November 2010.

“Kentuckians want their voice heard on this issue,” Patrick Neely, spokesman for the Kentucky Equine Education Project, told the newspaper. “Overwhelmingly, they say they want to make the final decision.”

House Speaker Jody Richards, who had earlier expressed his belief that the state House would approve the casino bill, told the Herald-Leader that House members, who are all up for re-election this year, believed the only support for a casino measure was in Lexington and counties adjoining the Ohio River.

Sen. David Boswell told the Herald-Leader that if is remains a Senate member next year he doesn’t expect to file the casino legislation again.

“I’ve pushed it about as far as I can. Somebody else is going to have to push it,” Boswell said.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, who introduces the casino proposal issued the following statement:

“The overwhelming majority of Kentuckians still want this issue placed on the ballot so that they can express their views and I hope the General Assembly will take notice of the people’s desire. We will be considering our strategy on this issue as we move forward.”

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