Posts Tagged ‘rocky adkins’

By Ray Paulick
Brereton Jones, the former governor of Kentucky and the chairman of the Kentucky Equine Education Project, pulled no punches during a horse industry rally at Keeneland Wednesday night when talking about what derailed House Bill 2, legislation that would have permitted video lottery terminals at state racetracks and enhanced purses. In an obvious reference to Senate President David “Blackjack” Williams, the "anti-gambling" Republican from Burkesville who likes to visit riverboat casinos in neighboring states, Jones talked about how a “third-world dictatorship” killed the legislation in a Senate committee controlled by  Williams’ followers. “The only way to get rid of a dictatorship is through a revolution,” Jones said, “and the revolution starts here tonight. We are going to make this happen.”

That brought the crowd of over 1,000 to their feet in one of many standing ovations during a rally that in some ways demonstrated the resilience, hope and perseverance of horse people. Individuals from virtually all segments of the horse industry attended.

Nick Nicholson, president of Keeneland, served as the emcee of the rally, which was scheduled less than 24 hours earlier in the wake of the defeat of the VLT legislation in the state capital of Frankfort. It began shortly after 7 p.m., when Gov. Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear arrived to the first standing ovation of the night.

“I know that we’re disappointed in the final result,” Nicholson said about the legislation that was approved by the House before being killed in the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee. “We’re angry, scared, and more determined than ever. This industry has more solid friends in Frankfort now than it did a month ago. Let me be real clear, no question about it, no doubt. This fight ain’t over yet. We as an industry are more unified than we have ever been.”

Nicholson introduced Kentucky legislators on hand who were among the horse industry’s friends and supported the VLT bill. Present were House members Rocky Adkins (D-Boyd, Elliott, Lawrence, Rowan Counties); Linda Belcher (D-Bullitt); Leslie Combs (D-Harlan, Letcher, Pike); Robert Damron (D-Fayette, Jessamine); Kelly Flood (D-Fayette); Reginald Meeks (D-Jefferson); David Osborne (R-Jefferson, Oldham); Sannie Overly (D-Bath, Bourbon, Fayette, Nicholas); Ruth Ann Palumbo (D-Fayette); John Will Stacy (D-Menifee, Morgan Rowan and Wolfe); John Tilley (D-Christian, Trigg); and Susan Westrom (D-Fayette).

Supporters on hand from the Kentucky Senate were: Walter Blevins Jr. (D-Boyd, Elliot, Fleming, Lawrence, Rowan); Tom Buford (R-Boyle, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine); Perry Clark (D-Jefferson); Denise Harper Angel (D-Jefferson), Gerald Neal (D-Jefferson); Joey Pendleton (D-Christian, Logan, Todd); Kathy Stein (D-Fayette); Johnny Ray Turner (D- Breathitt, Floyd, Knott, Letcher); and Ed Worley (D-Lincoln, Madison, Rockcastle).

Nicholson also thanked House Speaker Greg Stumbo and Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark, co-sponsors of the bill. Neither was able to attend the rally.

One local politician who wasn’t mentioned by name but was referred to several times as the “Senator from Scott” (county) was Republican Damon Thayer, a horse industry consultant and former Breeders’ Cup and Turfway Park executive who has been the point person for the horse industry on legislation in Frankfort but has been silent on the issue of VLTs or slots. Thayer is not a member of the A&R Committee that killed the VLT bill, but today on the Senate floor he reportedly said Beshear and anyone else who wants to support the horse industry should get behind an alternate bill proposed by Williams that would divert funds toward purses through a tax on the state lottery, out of state wagers on Kentucky races, and charitable gaming. Those comments angered Senate minority leader Ed Worley, who gave an impassioned speech on the floor of the Senate criticizing Thayer and others who said Beshear doesn’t support the horse industry. In that speech, which was shown on video at the horse industry rally, Worley challenged those who criticized Beshear to come to Keeneland Wednesday night and hear first-hand from members of the horse industry.

Worley was then introduced at the rally and began his brief talk by asking, “Would the senator from Scott please stand up?” a comment that brought derisive laughter from the standing room only audience. Thayer apparently was not present.

“You do not deserve people who represent districts with horse tracks and horse farms, if they vote against the horse industry. You need to remember them on election day,” Worley said.

Patrick Neely, the executive director of KEEP, was even more blunt in his remarks to the crowd. “Elections matter,” Neely said. “We cannot forget that Alice Forgy Kerr–whose district is home to so many horse farms and to Keeneland—voted no. Only Tom Buford (the lone Republican supporter on the A&R Committee) had the courage to vote yes,” a comment that brought the crowd to its feet with thunderous applause. Another Republican supporter, Rep. David Osborne, was cited as evidence that the VLT legislation was not a partisan bill.

Beshear said he felt if the VLT bill had gotten a chance for an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor, it had a good chance to be approved. “Some of these senators are now looking for cover,” Beshear said. “They’ve thrown out some quick proposals. The senator from Scott (Thayer) said we could even take the money out of the general fund. My friends, they are looking for cover, and I’m telling you: Don’t let ‘em find that cover.”

Now that Ohio appears to have racetrack slots on a fast track to passage, Beshear said Kentuckians will be “educating Ohio’s kids, building Ohio’s roads,” by gambling at Ohio casinos, just as they’ve been doing at Indiana casino boats. “It’s time we kept that money at home to help our people,” he said.

“Tonight is not an ending,” Beshear added. “It’s a beginning of a campaign that’s not going to quit until we have done our job to save our beloved horse industry.”

It’s time to do one of two things, Beshear said. “Change some of the state senators’ minds, or we’ve got to change some of the state senators. Over the next 18 months, let’s get this done.”

Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report

Savvy businesses recognize value. Advertise in the Paulick Report.

Support the Paulick Report. Make a donation today.

Sign up for our Email Flashes to get the latest news, analysis and commentary from Ray Paulick