Gambling Debated In Kentucky

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Tuesday, Governor Steve Beshear accused Senate President David Williams of "intimidations and threats" against pro-gambling lawmakers seeking to get a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that could legalize casinos in Kentucky. Williams fired back that the governor "has been untruthful." Senator Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, the likely sponsor of the amendment, is working with Beshear on the expanded gambling issue. Beshear said he believes Senator Thayer has been the subject of intimidation. Thayer told reporters that he isn't easily intimidated, but that someone had tried, though he wouldn't identify that person. Thayer, a former thoroughbred racing executive who now works as a consultant to the horse industry, has been taken to task by gambling opponents who claim that he has a conflict of interest in sponsoring a gambling bill. Thayer disagrees, as does the Legislative Branch Ethics Commission which issued an opinion Tuesday saying he has no conflict.