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Senator Could Help Kansas Tribal Casino Proposal

KANSAS CITY, Kansas – As reported by the Kansas City Business Journal: "Kansas Sen. David Adkins, in one of his last acts as a state lawmaker, could cast a swing vote on Tuesday to advance a $210 million tribal casino proposed near the Kansas Speedway.

"The Leawood Republican, who recently was named as vice chancellor for external affairs at the University of Kansas Medical Center, decided not to run for re-election this year but continues to serve on the Legislature's joint State-Tribal Relations Committee.

"In that capacity, Adkins voted with anti-gambling lawmakers on Oct. 21 to send a casino compact negotiated by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and two Kansas tribes back to the governor for revisions. But when the compact comes back to the committee on Tuesday, Adkins said he will vote for 'whatever it takes to get the compact approved.'

"…On a 5-4 vote during its Oct. 21 meeting, the State-Tribal Relations Committee sent the compact back to the governor with a request that she renegotiate it with the Kickapoo Tribe and the Sac and Fox Nation.

"Chief among the committee's requested revisions was one that would make the state's roughly $50 million annual share of the proposed casino's revenue dependent on banning additional slot machines in Kansas.

"The committee also asked for the amount earmarked in the compact for gambling-addiction programs to be increased from 0.25 percent and for some revenue to be earmarked for public assistance in the counties where the two tribes operate casinos.

"…Matt All, general counsel for the governor's office, said a new compact would be offered for consideration during the State-Tribal Relations Committee meeting on Tuesday. But he said a new compact is not likely to offer the total ban on additional gaming that Mason and other anti-gambling lawmakers want.

"…Adkins works in Wyandotte County, which would receive about $10 million a year through a separate agreement with the tribes…"

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