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Originally Posted by VOL JACK
People make the mistake of thinking that all of KY is all wrapped up in Horse Racing... I bet there are not 5 people in Burkesville that can name this years derby winner. I live 45 minutes away from Burkesville. People in the Northern Tn- Southern Ky area are clueless about Horse Racing.
Its light years away from the Lexington-Louisville area where HR is KING.
Williams has no interest in the bill because his district has no interest in the sport..the town is such a crap hole the Dairy Queen couldnt even stay in business.
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Williams opposition has zero to do with his district or their desires. It has everything to do with political power. Williams as head of the Senate basically controls all of the legislation passed or killed in the state, despite the fact that democrats hold most all of the key positions other than his. He is completely partisan and will do nothing that would help democrats or the Governor. The Governor ran on a platform on which expanded gambling was a primary topic. For Williams to step aside and allow the Governor to not only win this battle but potentially give him the next election if the slots plans works at all is a horrible political move in Williams mind. His "plan" was and is a joke which if anything will harm education funding and wont do a damn thing for the smaller tracks that are suffering. It was floated simply as a diversionary measure so that the Democrats couldn't say that he offered no alternative. Where his district comes into play is that he is virtually invincible there regardless of the amount of damage he is doing to his reputation statewide. He can take the posture he has because he is the most dangerous type of politician, the kind that doesnt have to worry about reelection. The unsaid factor that you wont read about is the amount of money that Williams and his opposition groups have received from the out of state casino companies which have a huge deal to lose if this passes. Almost every poll that has been done shows that the vast majority of citizens of the state either want expanded gambling or are indifferent to it. Virtually no poll shows more than roughly the mid 30's in opposition. Williams doesnt care about any of this. This isn't about the issue, it is about obstructionist politics, plain and simple.