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Kansas Re-examines Gambling Expansion

"Here is the situation: State revenues are falling while spending is climbing, and many lawmakers — with an eye on the 2002 elections — don't want to raise taxes.

"Enter gambling.

"…Kansas voters approved the lottery and pari-mutuel wagering in 1986. Simulcast wagering was approved by the Legislature in 1992. Since then, the Legislature has regularly rejected attempts to expand gambling.

"But lawmakers will start the 2002 legislative session facing the widest gap between revenue and spending in recent memory.

"The state's social service agency says it needs $123 million just to keep up with current services. State prison officials say they need more prison space, and public schools and higher education want more money. State employee salary increases and higher costs for health insurance also will strain the budget.

"Track operators say they can help out. Allow them to have slot machines at the tracks and they say they can produce $30 million to $50 million annually in gaming taxes, helping lawmakers avoid a general tax increase. .

"…Many state leaders, including Gov. Bill Graves, have said they support putting slots at the tracks, but neither Graves nor key legislative leaders have taken a leadership role on the issue.

"Former House Speaker Robin Jennison has been hired by Ruffin to try and get more votes, especially from conservative Republicans.

"Jennison said as a legislator he initially opposed gambling bills but that later he tried to get different sides in the dispute to negotiate because he was tired of seeing Kansans' entertainment dollars going to the tribal casinos and Missouri casinos.

"Jennison said there has never been widespread opposition in the Legislature to slot machines, but that a minority of Republicans fervently opposed to gambling have managed to carry the day. That situation may change, he said, because of the budget crisis.

"…Both slots-at-the-tracks and video lottery supporters said they see themselves in direct competition before the Legislature because they doubt lawmakers would approve both.

"…Regardless of whether slots or video lottery gets primary consideration during the legislative session, supporters of expanded gambling say they expect opposition from the Indian tribes that run four casinos located at White Cloud, Mayetta, Horton and Powhattan…"

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