Topeka Capital-Journal, The: Gambling bill defeated in Senate

By Chris Moon

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

In a win for conservative Republicans, the Senate on Friday rebuffed yet another attempt at expanding casino gambling in the Sunflower State.

Senators voted 22-17 to kill a bill that would have allowed state- owned casinos in Kansas City, Kan., and near Pittsburg.

"It was a stay I didn't think we'd see," said Sen. Roger Reitz, R- Manhattan, one of the Legislature's most vocal opponents to gambling.

The vote was surprising because many thought expanded gambling had its best chance of passing in more than a decade.

Lawmakers are at the Statehouse to respond to a Kansas Supreme Court ruling that demanded the Legislature add $143 million to public schools by July 1.

The Senate on Thursday passed a $160 million education plan, and the gambling bill would have funded it.

Meanwhile, major political forces were pushing for the bill, including Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and the Senate's moderate Republican leadership. Both had said casino and slot machine revenue could stave off an impending budget crisis.

"I don't quite know what's next," said Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independence.

He called the vote a "fairly strong rejection of the governor's gambling bill." But Schmidt voted for it, too.

"We'll have to explore other options on school finance," he said. "We'll see where the votes are on other issues."

Lawmakers say they will begin working on a proposal today that would cut budgets across the state. Talk also is centering on a limited gambling bill that would allow slot machines at dog and horse tracks.

"There's more than one type of gambling bill," said Sen. Laura Kelly, D-Topeka.

In calling the Legislature back to Topeka for a special session to find more money for public schools, Sebelius made expanded state- owned gambling her priority, telling lawmakers to put aside 13 years of rejection of new gaming.

Friday marked the third day of the special session.

The gambling bill that eventually was endorsed by Democrats and some moderate Republicans would have allowed the construction of "destination" casinos in Kansas City, Kan., and near Pittsburg. It also would have allowed up to 5,500 slot machines in five dog and horse tracks.

The measure was expected to collect $160 million in its first year.

Proponents played heavily on the fact the state is facing projected budget deficits of $117 million in 2007 and $510 million in 2008.

To correct that, the state could raise taxes or cut expenses. Lawmakers this session already have rejected tax increases, and the Legislature hasn't been successful in slicing into the state budget in the past, said Sen. John Vratil, R-Leawood.

"I'm betting we never will have the guts or the political will to cut the budget," he said.

Gambling opponents, led by social conservatives, fought to destroy the measure.

They said the state could expect an increase in pathological gamblers, which would destroy families. Gambling also would hurt businesses elsewhere in the community and open a wider door to corruption in state politics.

"We're copping out if we go to the gamblers and say, 'Take our state,' " said Reitz, who continues to lobby for higher taxes as a way to fund public schools.

Chris Moon can be reached

at (785) 233-7470

or chris.moon@cjonline.com.

ONLINE

Read past coverage of the special legislative session.

cjonline.com

Please see GAMBLING, Page 10A

Continued from Page 1A

Gambling: Proposal for budget cuts is next option