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Kansas Bill on Slots Fizzles

"Legislators had to close a huge budget shortfall and faced financial problems that seemed likely to linger for at least another year. Republican leaders struggled to gain approval of tax increases to finance government programs.

"When the House approved a bill permitting slot machines and other electronic gambling devices at the five tracks and one unspecified "at-large" site, backers seemed to have some momentum. It was the session's 94th day, but senators could move quickly.

"Senators didn't, and the gambling bill remained stuck in committee when legislators adjourned the longest session in Kansas history on its 106th day. The slots bill never became crucial to resolving the state's budget problems.

"…Supporters' inability to parlay the promise of money into Senate approval stunned some of them, especially when many lawmakers acknowledged that the $252 million package of tax increases they passed was not large enough.

"…Gov. Bill Graves said he believes supporters of expanded gambling in the House spent too much time finalizing the details of their bill, rather than getting a broad proposal over to the Senate earlier in the session.

"…Supporters said the bill would give the state a way to recapture dollars now being spent at casinos in Missouri and on Indian reservations, while raising money for the state.

"But critics said the bill would come with social problems and that the machines would take money away from businesses, particularly those in entertainment…"

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