The politicking over bringing more gambling to Kentucky is getting hot and heavy. Gov. Steve Beshear said Monday that he believes he has the 23 votes he needs to get a bill calling for a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling through the state Senate. The Family Foundation of Kentucky says its count of senators shows the governor falling short and that the governor is bluffing. But the mere fact that there is a dispute shows that the margin is likely very close and that major arm twisting is now taking place behind the scenes.
This is why it is very important for citizens concerned about the damage that expanded gambling will bring to Kentucky to call their state senators and ask their state senator to vote “no.” The number is 1-800-372-7181. It will only take a few minutes. A courteous receptionist for the legislative message line will answer and get your name and address which she’ll then use to identify your senator for you. You then just need to give a simple but polite message like, “Please vote ‘no’ on expanded gambling.”
The messages that senators receive on issues are then put on green slips of paper and delivered to the senator’s office where they are sorted based on the issue and the message of the caller. Legislators tell us repeatedly about how important these “green slips” are for communicating how constituents feel about an issue. Legislators can see just by the size of the stacks whether their constituents favor, oppose or just don’t really care about an issue.
If you want your legislators — especially your state senator — to care about the damage casinos will do to our communities and families, please call today. If you’ve been putting it off, don’t do so any longer. Although this issue comes up every year, this is the tightest the fight has ever been. Your voice matters and your voice is needed now!