State of Kentucky Archives: on Local Issues

Andy Beshear: Supports state gaming to pay for state pensions

[After the Kentucky Supreme Court struck down Gov. Bevin's state pension plan] Beshear said, ""Long-term, what the pension system needs, is a new, dedicated source of revenue that goes directly to pensions and doesn't raise anyone's taxes. In my opinion, it ought to come from expanded gaming -- including casino gaming, sports betting, fantasy sports, and we ought to prepare for online poker."

Beshear is eager to jump on board with gambling, but Bevin has said he does not want that.

Source: Louisville Courier-Journal on 2019 Kentucky governor race Dec 14, 2018

Matt Bevin: Opposes state gaming to pay for state pensions

[After the Kentucky Supreme Court struck down Gov. Bevin's state pension plan, gubernatorial opponent Attorney General Andy] Beshear said, "We need a dedicated source of revenue that doesn't raise anyone's taxes. In my opinion, it ought to come from expanded gaming--including casino gaming, sports betting, fantasy sports, and we ought to prepare for online poker."

Beshear is eager to jump on board with gambling, but Bevin has said repeatedly that he does not want that for the state.

Source: Louisville Courier-Journal on 2019 Kentucky governor race Dec 14, 2018

Steve Beshear: 2007: pushed for casino gambling; 2018: son doing same

Attorney General Andy Beshear sent a letter to state lawmakers asking them to legalize casinos and sports betting as the way raise money to save Kentucky's ailing public pension system. "The solution is not to cut legally promised benefits," Beshear said in a two-page letter to legislators. "The answer is simple--expanded gaming including casino, fantasy sports, and sports gaming, as well as preparing for the eventual legalization of online poker."

Beshear's letter repeats a suggestion he made to lawmakers early this year and in July when he announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2019. And Beshear's father, Gov. Steve Beshear, made a proposal for expanded gambling the centerpiece of his successful 2007 campaign for governor. But Steve Beshear's repeated failed attempts show the difficulty in winning passage of a measure to legalize casino gambling through the General Assembly--a body more conservative now than it was when Steve Beshear was governor.

Source: Louisville Courier-Journal on 2019 Kentucky governor race Nov 26, 2018

Steve Beshear: Statewide vote on expanding gaming: keep revenues in-state

I will ask to place a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot related to expanded gaming. Over the years several economic studies of various gaming scenarios have projected potential Kentucky tax revenues in the hundreds of millions of dollars. But regardless of the amount, allowing gaming is a way to keep Kentucky tax revenue at home--instead of letting Kentuckians' entertainment dollars fund roads and schools in Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and other states.

Now I realize there are many arguments for and against gaming. But there's no reason to deny the people of Kentucky an opportunity to vote "up" or "down" on this issue. They want to vote on this issue, and we should let them decide whether to continue allowing Kentucky tax money to flow across our borders or to keep it here at home.

Source: 2014 Kentucky State of the State speech Jan 7, 2014

Steve Beshear: Keep KY Horse Capital of the World; a $4 billion industry

We must find ways to preserve the $4 billion equine industry that employs 100,000 Kentuckians and maintains our reputation as "Horse Capital of the World." Source: 2011 Kentucky State of the State Address Feb 1, 2011

The above quotations are from Commonwealth of Kentucky Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Local Issues. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
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