Kentucky governor will push for slots in 2012

LEXINGTON – Ky. Gov. Steve Beshear said on Tuesday during his inaugural address that he would push for the state’s legislature to approve a constitutional amendment allowing for casino-type gambling in the state.

“We’re going to go all out to get expanded gambling on the ballot,” Beshear said.

Beshear supported the expansion of gambling in Kentucky throughout his first four-year term, but he had previously offered his most stalwart support to a move to legalize casinos through the legislature, in tandem with the wishes of the racing industry. A constitutional amendment would require approval by both houses of the legislature and a public vote.

Approval of the amendment will hinge on the Republican-controlled Senate, which has rejected Democratic-led proposals to expand gambling during the past three years. The earliest the issue could be put on the ballot would be November, 2012, when elections for all 100 seats in the Assembly and half of the 38 seats in the Senate will also be held.