Topeka Capital-Journal, The: It's a good bet gambling is dead for session

By Chris Moon

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Sen. Roger Reitz was happy enough.

The Republican from Manhattan strode out of the Senate chamber Friday evening grading the Legislature for its work on school funding.

He gave a "D" to a $142 million school plan the Legislature passed this year.

"But I'd give us a D-plus because we were at least able to wait out the gambling interests," he said with a smile.

The "D" part of that grade is because the Legislature considered the widespread expansion of casino gambling in the first place.

Reitz is among a handful of senators who helped extinguish debate on a gambling proposal that would have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for public schools.

The bill fell by the wayside Friday and appears dead for the session, which is expected to end today.

The measure had been cued up for Senate discussion Friday afternoon.

But the chamber's Republican leadership refused to bring it up for a lengthy debate knowing it would fail in the end.

"There are 40 senators and 40 different opinions --- but at this point, not 21 votes," said Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R- Independence, who said he wasn't planning to bring it up today.

Reports were the bill had anywhere from 16 to 20 votes.

The bill's on-again, off-again status reflects the gambling industry's 13-year struggle to pass an expansion of gambling in Kansas.

Lawmakers repeatedly have rebuffed attempts at giving Kansans more opportunities to place bets.

The measure would allow for the construction of state-owned casinos in five areas of the state --- near Junction City, Pittsburg, Dodge City, Wichita and Kansas City, Kan.

It also would authorize more than 5,000 slot machines in the state's five dog and horse racetracks.

Gambling interests began a radio advertising blitz Tuesday, urging support for the bill to fund public schools.

The revenue from the casinos and slots --- an estimated $150 million in the first year and $300 million after that --- would be allocated to schools.

The Kansas Supreme Court is analyzing whether the state is adequately funding its schools. The court pressure has caused some longtime gambling opponents in the Legislature to budge, making the bill appear more likely to pass than in years past.

But not Reitz.

He is among those who think the bill would lead to slot machines at bowling alleys and other public places, even swimming pools.

He said lawmakers, if they passed it, would be "preying on the poor, preying on the disenfranchised and letting them pay the burden for something we should be paying for with all of our discretionary dollars."

Reitz supported a failed tax increase proposal earlier in the session for public schools. He acknowledged some people in Junction City, which he represents, are lobbying hard for the bill.

"Heck, if I get thrown out, I left it all on the table," he said.

Sen. Jim Barone, D-Frontenac and an advocate of the bill, said he thought the measure still had a chance.

The Supreme Court will hold a hearing May 11 on school funding. If it rules against the Legislature, lawmakers will need more money.

"That may be what it takes to break the logjam," he said.

Some expect the Legislature to return for a special session should the court rule unfavorably.

"They're going to need a clean and quick way to find revenue," said Doug Lawrence, a lobbyist for the Kansas Greyhound Association and a spokesman for several gambling interests. "We have a proposal to do that."

Chris Moon can be reached

at (785) 233-7470

or chris.moon@cjonline.com.

Please see GAMBLING, Page 9A

Continued from Page 1A

Gambling: Bill explained