June 4, 2009
Contact: Martin Cothran
(859) 329-1919
Anti-casino groups says Governor’s action unconstitutional
LEXINGTON, KY— "You cannot amend the Constitution in a Special Session, but that's essentially what the Governor is trying to do," said Martin Cothran, spokesman for Say No To Casinos, in response to the Governor's announcement today that he is amending the call for a Special Session to include legislation to allow video slot machines at horse racing tracks. "The Constitution allows only for a lottery, not slot machines," said Cothran. "What the Governor wants to do requires a constitutional amendment, and he can only do that in a regular session."
"We think the Governor is going to have a hard time convincing legislators that they should go home to their districts and tell their constituents that they unwittingly approved slot machines in 1988. People are still mad about the Lottery proceeds not going to education as lawmakers who supported the Lottery promised. Now they're going to tell them that they were hoodwinked into approving slots? That's not going to go over well."
Cothran said he doubts the plan will pass either the House or the Senate, but that if it does, it will be successfully challenged in court.
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