DAMON THAYER CLAIMS ‘IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE’
Republican State Senator Damon Thayer submits the next installment in a series of editorials regarding the ever long push for slots in Kentucky. Senator Thayer claims the best way forward is a ballot initiative that would leave the vote to the people.
Last week, the Paulick Report presented the reasons why a ballot initiative, especially the type that Sen. Thayer is submitting, will not happen in Kentucky. In what we find to be a vapid platitude, Sen. Thayer proclaims, “…it is never too late to let the people decide.”
Where do you stand?
For too long, casino gambling has dominated the debate in Frankfort to the detriment of all other issues. Governor Steve Beshear has advocated very little, if anything, beyond the expansion of gambling. Attorney General opinions throughout the years are divided. The Governor campaigned on “letting the people decide.” As recently as last year, members of House Democratic Leadership promoted a constitutional amendment to expand gambling.
The constitutional amendment that I have proposed will take the issue off the table so the Governor can focus on working with the General Assembly in a bipartisan manner to address the serious public policy issues facing Kentucky. If passed, it would allow video-lottery terminals in counties that have horse racing, with a local referendum vote. The proceeds would go to purses, breeders incentives and marketing for horse racing, and the facility operators, with the remainder sent to the state for capital projects and debt service reduction.
Members of the horse industry say that it is too late for a constitutional amendment; that it would take too long for relief to arrive. I say that time-consuming litigation is assured with “slots by statute.” A constitutional amendment is the only way that the horse industry will be able to “lock-in” the percentage of slots revenue that goes to purses. There are examples of state after state with slot-subsidized purses whose legislatures have gone back and shifted funds away from the horsemen. My proposal combined with the legislation similar to what the Senate passed during the special session in a bipartisan manner would give the horse industry not only purse protection but also immediate relief.
No constitutional amendment has ever reached the House floor, much less the Senate’s. After considerable Democratic Party infighting, the amendment that finally passed a House committee in 2008 never got a floor vote. Did the Governor never really care about letting the people decide? We shall never know because he declared the bill “dead” for the session and declined to push for a vote.
Finally, the question that needs to be answered is: do you believe that increased purses and improved wagering products and marketing can save tracks, or will it be necessary to permanently subsidize tracks? Track officials reveal themselves when my friend, Turfway’s CEO Bob Elliston, said that my proposal would “help make Kentucky racing more competitive by increasing purses but it doesn’t help reinvigorate racetracks.”
It seems that it’s not about the horse-racing, the “show,” it’s about the companies that own the tracks. They don’t want just a minimal approach to beef up purses – which they had argued previously would bring more fans and help everyone – they want rampant slots to create gambling empires. It will not be long before the horses are marginalized. My amendment would prevent this.
Some may say, too little, too late.
I say that it is never too late to let the people decide.
Tags: Casino gaming, damon thayer, Frankfort, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, Slot machines
November 5th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
And it won’t be a minute too soon to vote this sellout out when he’s up for reelection.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Citizens need to realize that they need their legislators to be more afraid of them, the constituents, than they are of their leadership in the House and Senate.”
- Dana Perino (Former White House Press Secretary to George W. Bush)
Save The Horses was formed on October 20, 2009 to create a central “portal” around the unique challenges and opportunities specific to the Thoroughbred industry. We have a January 2010 deadline to save Kentucky’s # 1 industry, the equine industry.
Please sign the petition at http://www.savethehorses.info
November 5th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Slots are no panacea to fix the myriad industry-wide ills that result from lack of leadership, vision, cooperation, and effective marketing across all major groups, including the Jockey Club, NTRA, Breeders’ Cup, various racing commissions, and all major tracks. No entity has stepped forward to bring together a consortium of major industry players who, in the absence of a “commissioner” or central governing office, could develop a framework to standardize rules and regulations and provide a cooperative effort to revitalize interest in horse racing among the public at large.
That said, those who have opposed the establishment of VLTs at Kentucky tracks are either too ignorant or too encapsulated or too politically motivated to appreciate the damage that has already been done by the delays in passage of measures that could help Kentucky compete successfully with other Thoroughbred jurisdictions.
Mr. Thayer may be well intentioned, but his statement that “It is never too late to let the people decide” reveals a surprising disconnect with reality (especially when polls show that a majority of Kentucky citizens are in favor of assisting the Thoroughbred industry in this manner). It reminds me of some parents I once knew who let their child run a 105 degree temperature for two days, while saying that they were waiting for their doctor to get back from vacation. The child lived, but now suffers from neurological deficits because of seizures related to carrying the high fever for too long. So, too, will the Kentucky Thoroughbred industry carry residual effects long after this is settled. Future action in 2010 with implementation in 2011 will be too little too late for many vital and grass-roots participants who have made Kentucky’s signature industry what it used to be, “the horse capitol of the world.”
Opponents of VLTs at racetracks either express that VLTs detract from the tradition or purity of the racing experience or that they simply provide a “band-aid” to fix a temporary problem. The truth is that VLTs are an essential short-term necessity in order to stop the escalating damage caused by an inability to compete successfully with other racing and breeding jurisdictions which currently and alarmingly results in an exodus of mares and training stables out of Kentucky. In short, this is no “band-aid;” this is a tourniquet.
I speak with no axe to grind. I speak as someone who abhors the co-mingling of slots with live racing. But I speak as someone in the trenches who has a lot of skin in the game and who daily listens to accounts of the irrevocable and lasting damage that is intensified by each day that action is delayed.
.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Rob you nicely say that you are sure that Damon is well intentioned. The way he has proposed this is anything but. Damon is not interested in seeing anything in the way of VLT’s pass whether by statute or by Constitutional Amendment. Damon said this in the KTA meeting. We all know that he is merely offering this up as cover from the intense pressure he is feeling from Kentuckians who want to save the States Signiture industry. Let’s not give this any more time than it deserves. We all know that it is a non-starter so why even worry. Let’s focus on the Dec. 8th Special Election and elect the pro-jobs, pro-economic development canidate who in this case happens to be the Democrat. Damon is falling right in line with David Williams and is choosing to pit Republicans against Republicans
November 6th, 2009 at 1:58 am
Damon
where was this offer 10 years ago when we asked for it…now you want to hamstring us for another 3 years
find another job
November 6th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Amen to all of the above posts (save Damon Thayer’s, which is indeed too little too late while offering the worst recipe for a constitutional amendment ever seen in Kentucky).
As Bill Farish notes, the focus now is on electing Senators who will replace the current leadership in the Senate and to retire Senators like Damon Thayer who are not advancing the best interests of the Kentucky horse industry.
November 6th, 2009 at 7:29 am
The “Horse Capital of the World” is no longer! The Commonwealth of Kentucky will lose it’s “signature” industry!
It is a shame that a State that has virtually no economic resource, natural resource exclusivity, educational draw card, healthcare drawcard, political influence or for that matter recent rich history, has allowed it’s only true resource to evaporate. The political leaders of Kentucky, steeped in rich political history, have been allowed to play the political game without accountability. Shame on all of us who let this happen. Politically we follow like sheep, shepherded by wolves only concerned with their own political aspirations. Damon Thayer is one of them!!!!
People, correct me if I am wrong, but our own Industry is run in the same manner as the Commonwealth. We are shepherded along by people and entities steeped with tradition and history of familial “love of the game”. To those people, the horse industry and in particular the Kentucky horse industry is just that, “a game”. Some of us are merely trying to make a living because they allow us to play their game.
No economic model or industry can survive when supported and propped by subsidy. While I was a fervent supporter of the VLT legislation, I have never looked at VLT’s as the industry savior. In my eyes it was merely going to allow Kentucky to be able to compete and continue to lead the way in a sport that if it were only about the money would have been won by the wealthy centuries ago. We have failed ourselves. Look only at ourselves for blame. We allowed ourselves to be shepherded to the brink of the cliff. Shame too on us!
our only signature industry
November 6th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino was right on Tuesday night while watching election returns. She said, “Citizens need their legislators to fear them, their constituents, more than the legislators fear their leadership in the House and Senate.” I think this beautifully applies to our situation right here in Kentucky.
Right now internal party politics has Thayer and others fearing Williams more than they fear the voters who put them in Frankfort to begin with. I think we all agree this is enough. The importance of this topic has blurred party lines at the minimum. The election of Gov. Beshear is plenty proof of that. If Kentucky Republicans have any brains in their heads at all, they will listen to the majority of the citizens of this state who understand the dire need to do something to bolster Kentucky’s equine industry. Otherwise they will hear that giant sucking sound of the voters yanking them out of the statehouse in droves to dump them into the job hunt in an economy sporting 10% unemployment.
This has to be a grassroots effort by all of us to get on the phones and take an afternoon to call call representatives. Ask your friends to do the same. Take a moment to ask clients at the November sale to call their legislator. Maybe we can collectively set up a phone bank at Keeneland and have every seller, every buyer, every groom, every show person, every van driver, every farrier and every vet on the grounds take a minute to call their legislator to express the impact and importance expanded gambling means to this industry but more importantly them personally. We have about sixty days to be heard. Let’s get organized and instill some real fear into all these political posturers.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Philosophical question for Farish and not-so-Greathouse:
What, in our nations charter and character, allows for the government to steal the earnings from one investor (slot machine owners) and return it to another investor (horse owners). The slot owners have to put up their capital to construct a building, install busy carpeting, buy the slot machines, purchase skimpy cocktail waitress uniforms, and provide utilities to operate. What entitles horse owners to those earnings. It is appalling and embarrassing to see so-called Republicans, supposedly the party of limited government, advocating the coercive conversion of one’s property for another’s benefit.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:30 am
For those who oppose slots or expanded gambling, certainly you must support a healthy economy. Kentucky needs about $50M per year in incentives to begin to simply compete with surrounding states with expanded gambling. If slots are not the answer, then let’s get the think tank together to find the $50M annually necessary to save Kentucky’s #1 industry and the thousands of jobs that accompany it!
The quality of stallions and bloodstock that Pennsylvania and Louisiana are devastating Kentucky with is amazingly weak. While in a world of hurt, Kentucky is still white-knuckling a grip on the country’s best stallions and best bloodstock. If Kentucky added the necessary $50M in annual programs to compete with or beat neighboring states, the game is over for states with sub-par breeding operations. For those who oppose slots and expanded gambling, the challenge is yours to find a better solution before hurling insults.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Sen. Thayer is a Republican, so there is no reason to believe his proposals are anything more than political connivance.
Slots, of course, are altready legal in Kentucky and could be passed by the legislature (Dems too) right now — if that august body was not infested with political self-servers waiting for a bribe. Like catfish, lying on the bottom of a river faced upstream with mouth open.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:07 am
The Quote of the Century brought to us by Rob Whiteley (see post # 3):
“[VLT's at KY racetracks] is not a ‘band-aid’; it is a tourniquet…”
It is time for Sen. Thayer to begin a new initiative– a five step plan to Move
His Pathetic Dog & Pony Act Back To Iowa!
Since that is where he’s from, I’m sure the fine people of that great state would appreciate him as their self appointed “go to guy” for horse racing in the Iowa State Senate.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Some thought provoking comments.
Why are so many so sure a vote of the people will approve expanded gambling in any form? Polls don’t mean a thing when a voter goes into the booth. How many are old enough to remember when Dewey beat Truman - in the polls.
There isn’t a doubt all the proposals would give the operators the major portion of the slots/casino revenue. The horses would be subsidized at the grace and favor of the track owners. They could eliminate it at will. They are hard-nosed realists. They do not run almsgiving, altruistic institutions.
Inevitably, the charitable giving would end. By that day, would our business have taken the essential measures to cure itself? I doubt it. At least, not if we continue with the current “establishment”.
It seems to me we are wasting energy trying to unseat this or that politician. We should be banding together to unseat our industry rulers.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Garrett , everyone ( the catfish picture was a much needed smile & laugh on this day) great to hear your viewpoints and we are all absolutely right!
One step at a time & first things first.
Band together at the new ‘central station’ website http://www.savethehorses.info
We have a unique opportunity to be the change we want to see, as Bill suggested lets focus on the Dec. 8th Special Election and elect the pro-jobs, pro-economic development candidate who in this case happens to be the Democrat.
We are not stupid, we know Damon is falling right in line with David Williams and is choosing to pit Republicans against Republicans. We are not called the fighting Irish for nothing, you don’t mess with our Kentucky horseindusty Lads!!!.
Shame on our industry leaders for landing us here, but shame on us now if we just sit around complaining, observing from the peanut gallery & don’t do something helpful to fix it.
Despite the seizures that I’m having caused by the neglect & trauma I suffered & while trying to breath & stop my head from going through the window home alone, I’m picking myself up, dusting myself off & working hard on giving everyone the tools to help ‘fix this’ on ww.savethehorses.info. I have damage too, but I’m still effective, a lot of fun, I matter and I plan to not just recover and heal completely, I plan to soar, the past just makes me stronger. Our industry will recover and soar also!!
I’m standing up for what I believe in. I won’t let any Bully Boys have their way this time!!
We already banded together as an industry and did the impossible and saved the flamingos, Hialeah Park reopens in a couple of weeks!
Please ‘get with the program everyone’ focus on our ’shared goal’, saving our Kentucky Horse Industry.
We need volunteers and help with Save The Horses, we need to pick up the phones, send letters and emails, everyone please ask yourself what you can do to help ? Every single person matters, we need your help.
Allison Booth
abooth@savethehorses.info
November 6th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
The constitutional amendment is nothing but a smoke screen, and Damon Thayer is trying to ride the fence between the out-of-state casino owners (via their paid flunkies in the KY legislature) and the horse people who elected him. He’s been riding that fence for so long, he ought to be REAL sore.
Frank
November 6th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Farish and Greathouse et al are sadly mistaken if they think a legislative ram through won’t end up in the courts. Plus, who says all Democrats in the General Assembly are on board with slots? Even with district bribery, that House vote was very close with some Republicans voting yes. Let the people vote or KEEP on losing.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
While it appears that slots are the only answer, that in itself, is a defeatist attitude! It is of great interest that there is NO plan outside of paying higher purses or selling higher priced horses. Is this the goal? This in of itself is a pity. Sure it will enhance the stock prices of public companies and build grandiose landmarks on the baron private ones. But will it attract and install leaders that will change the game? Change it in a credible and functional way that protects its history and perpetuates its class and beauty. If not, slots will only hasten the beginning of the end by placing a premium on mediocrity and plunge it ungracefully the way of the harness and dog tracks. Yes, slots will provide more higher paying jobs for lawyers and slot managers, which in some cases have already been installed and waiting their chance to exhibit their skills. Yes, it would be nice to see a glimpse of the business plans from these eager recipients of the new found riches. But I doubt it! What a time and opportunity for our myriad cast of high priced alphabet groups to write a model plan and exhibit what really should be done with the anticipated “pots of gold from mechanical myrr”. But I doubt it! Never have we had such a headier chance in our land since the opportunity to sell guns and whiskey. Oh what hope!
November 6th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Why no slots at glorious Thunder Ridge? Oh, I forgot, Stumbo says that his constituents are already to poor to feed the one armed bandits.
November 7th, 2009 at 12:20 am
“There are examples of state after state with slot-subsidized purses whose legislatures have gone back and shifted funds away from the horsemen.”
If the above statement is true, how does KY avoid it?
November 7th, 2009 at 8:29 am
A racetrack can be popular selling racing. Look at Tampa Bay Downs. They have very little tradition, a sub-par facility, average to good racing…..They take the one thing they have, great weather, and use it to get people to the track. Once they are there, they come back because of customer service. Do you think the years of horrible union clerks, out of touch management, a disconnect with the local horsemen, overpriced beer and average food, five and six day a week racing, paying to park and paying admission that doesn’t include a seat when 30,000 seats are empty….may have contributed to some of the problems that some tracks are having? A casino opening across the river will naturally take a big bite out of your business, but you can’t blame all your problems on that. You should have run your business properly when you had a monopoly.
November 7th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Gavemylifetoracing You are exactly on point. If the tracks don’t or won’t sell the racing. How in the hell are they going to to continue to charge Parking,admissions,overpriced beer and food ? Oh they can’t they are going broke. So if slots come to the track, do they still charge parking and admission, while the casinos “give it away” ? How is this model going to sell the racing ? And if somebody does not sell racing (remember guys that the PRODUCT). How do We sell horses, stud fees, mare care, training, etc, etc. Is it really that complicated ? DAMN !
November 7th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Vance, that is what I fear for the tracks getting slots. Racing gets even MORE ignored. None of these tracks are using this money to rebuild what they have broken. They just throw a $1 million purse out there that attracts grade III horses and 3,500 people show up to see it. Then on Weds., the crowd is back to 1,100. And the casino operators running the track write it off as a “cost of business” to have the machines. Million dollar races are great, but so is someone knowing your name or favorite meal, or what your kids sports are…..when you walk into a track. Do the simple things, like not letting your union clerks take a break when ten people are in his/her line and it is one minute to post. The pool of horses is limited, there is no need for these ridiculous purses. Use the slots money to offer a reasonable purse (come on, $300,000 races at Zia Park that generates $32,000 in total handle). Take some of that money and offer discounted, high quality meals and great seating for the fans. Hire and train for ultimate customer service. Give the horsemen free straw and shavings, or discounts on feed. Have a starter bonus for races. In other words spread the wealth for the good of the entire industry. Use this money to make things healthy again, which starts with getting patrons back to the track. The problem is also getting horsemen to give some of this purse money to management for a “racing rebuilding plan”. They would rather fight for it on the track while out of town trainers ship in and take the money. Horsemen let the also-rans, which are a big part of racing, starve and go away. Even the Globetrotters pay the team they beat up on nightly. Horsemen need to be reminded that a percent of mutuel handle is how they will be paid if the slots ever go away. Now is the time to think long term. I think any new slots legislation should include a “racing enhancement” fund that by law is managed by the association and the horsemen. Force them to work together to spend this money properly. I could go on all day, but nobody is listening. Much easier to just lobby for slots and then live off the handout until it gets taken away.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Much easier to just lobby for slots and then live off the handout until it gets taken away.
Much easier to just lobby for slots and then live off the handout until it gets taken away.
Much easier to just lobby for slots and then live off the handout until it gets taken away.
Much easier to just lobby for slots and then live off the handout until it gets taken away.
Much easier to just lobby for slots and then live off the handout until it gets taken away.
Much easier to just lobby for slots and then live off the handout until it gets taken away.
Much easier to just lobby for slots and then live off the handout until it gets taken away.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Zenyatta’s race was OK, but just think how much better it would have been if Santa Anita had slot machines.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
There is a document that many of you have or haven’t studied in grade school –
It starts with, “WE THE PEOPLE”
not the gaming interests, not the horsemen that control the sales, not the vets, not the slick pinhookers, not the failed leadership of the breeders cup or ntra –
we have two wars going on, unemployment out the kazoo, people can’t even get jobs at Wal mart and you’re going to let big gaming in to skew your elections — look how much penn national spent in Ohio –
i feel bad for you all in the Bluegrass state — these people demonizing the Honorable Damon Thayer are just trying to line their pockets …
lets say slots pass — none of these jokers are going to help you pay for health care or assist you in getting a real job.
shame on you!
November 10th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
“Josh”, that document says that we shall be governed by a representative goverment chosen by the people.
We have chosen our elected representatives and they are doing the people’s work. If you don’t like it, that is why we have elections. We need the slots to help fill a gap in our budget. Not only that, it will bring jobs to an area where they are needed. Why would we turn away someting that is good for Kentucky? You yourself say that unemployment is needed in our country.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
The state needs to pass the slots. It is ridiculous that this is even of issue. The Republicans needs to stop playing politics with something that could benefit Kentucky for the better and pass it. They are going to have a wakeup call when we don’t have any money left to fix our roads and highways or pay our teachers, and they passed on an oportunity like this to add tax revenue and at the same time, help our hourse racing industry.
Grow up Thayer!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Gavemylifetoracing, I agree that it would be great to have some of the money to be put back into the tracks. But we need to take the first step of getting the slots first. The opponents of the slots are playing politics because of their own special interest. Bringing more jobs to the area by having the slots will help bring more money to the tracks. Kind of that “trickle down” economy, right? HA! Seriously, though, bringing an economic engine like slots just brings more money not only to the government, but to people’s pockets and they can then spend that money on the tracks.
By the way, I HATE when the clerks are breaking with barely any time left. AGH!