{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Thursday, the Kentucky Senate voted 21-16 against the proposed constitutional amendment to legalize casino gambling in Kentucky. Wednesday, the Senate State & Local Government Committee approved SB 151 by a vote of 7-4. The bill’s sponsor, Senator Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, and Democratic Floor Leader R.J. Palmer of Winchester, a supporter, had asked that the bill not be called for a floor vote Thursday because Senator Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, was out of town. Palmer said that, without Neal's pro-gambling vote, the bill could not garner the necessary 23 votes to pass a constitutional amendment. Republican Senate President David Williams of Burkesville said earlier in the day that, if supporters could get 22 votes for the bill, he would delay final action until Friday.
