Governor Fletcher brings anti-casino message to Eastern

Casino gambling has been a primary issue in Kentucky since the gubernatorial primary ended earlier this year narrowing the field down to Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher and Democrat Steve Beshear. Beshear told Kentuckians he would work to get the current law banning games of chance overturned, while Fletcher has maintained a solid counterpoint stance to the idea of casinos.

This issue hit the doorsteps of Eastern Tuesday evening when Fletcher arrived to discuss his plans for the future of Kentucky at the Perkins building.

The presentation was an open forum allowing Madison County residents and students the opportunity to hear Fletcher's policies and interact with him through comments and questions.

Fletcher discussed the issue, arguing Beshear's claim of an increased economy through casinos is misleading.

"Steve Beshear is gonna pass it," Fletcher said. " I say Nov. 6 makes that a referendum on it. And I say not here, not in my Kentucky home."

Beshear has promised $500 million in revenue from casinos, but Fletcher claimed the state would lose nearly $1.5 billion in the process because most of the money will be shipped out to either Frankfort or the casino owners in Las Vegas. He said approximately two-thirds of the money would go to Vegas.

He also said 75 percent of the money will be diverted income that will be taken away from towns and citizens in Kentucky.

And he said the 25 percent of new income could possibly be taken from savings accounts that would not have been spent under other situations.

Fletcher also said the impact of casinos could gradually reduce the revenue taken in by charitable gaming, which helps charitable organizations and churches throughout Kentucky.

"They promise, what I consider, fool's gold.they promise no cost to Kentucky," he said.

As part of Fletcher's ad campaign, he has been traveling to cities in bordering states with casinos in an effort to find out the effects casino gambling has had.

Fletcher said the ads would run in segments. He presented an interview he conducted with a woman in Waterloo, Ill. who had embezzled $241,000 from a bank she had worked at for 33 years.

On the video, the woman said Beshear should research the issue thoroughly before being so eager to bring casinos to Kentucky.

Fletcher continued presenting various statistics from other states, showing what could potentially happen here.

He said 40 percent of restaurants closed within three years in Atlantic City after casinos opened and said Natchez, Miss. reported 70 percent of its businesses experiencing reduced revenue within a few months of the first casino.

He also claimed the crime rate is 84 percent higher than the national average in casino cities.

And while Fletcher does not believe Kentucky would be comparable to Nevada, he said the problems with prostitution, murder, suicide and abortions in Las Vegas should be recognized.

"What happens in Vegas needs to stay in Vegas," he said.

Fletcher said the problem could also affect the family structure, claiming 20 percent of problem gamblers file for bankruptcy and 25-30 percent file for divorce.

"Casinos are designed to a build a Kentucky on losers," he said.

A different direction

Fletcher said he wanted to present a different plan for boosting Kentucky's economy, one clean of casinos and their influence. He said the key to doing this is through education.

"We'll be building careers, not empty promises," he said.

He said he planned to make a covenant with Kentucky students to provide a college education to those who were willing to put in the work.

He said he is also dedicated to capital campaigns, building facilities for Kentucky schools and universities so they can be properly equipped.

He is also releasing a new health care plan this week. Fletcher said his plan would allow low income Kentuckians to get premiums paid through Medicaid, an expansion in eye care, an increased focus on eHealth (electronic medical records) and methods to provide more affordable health care to Kentuckians.

Tourism is also a priority. He said tourism has grown in the state by 24 percent and said Beshear's claims of casinos bringing more tourism are false.

"We've done it without gimmicks," he said.

One issue questioned during the forum was the recent incentives passed for alternative energy companies to pursue facilities in the state. Fletcher has been persistent in acquiring Peabody Coal Co. and other energy companies' services to build alternative energy plants.

Fletcher said the incentives were needed for the companies to build the facilities and the money would eventually be paid back. The money would have to be returned if the companies stopped production.

He said the companies are also doing tests to find ways to bottle the carbon emissions.

Bud Robinson, a Richmond resident and former student at Eastern, said he admired Fletcher's approach to health care.

Robinson had a heart attack July 4 and was told he had 12 hours to live. Robinson said the care he received at St. Joseph's East made the difference in whether he lived or died.

He also said Fletcher's plans to build a new facility for Eastern State Hospital is touching since his wife is there.

"I really appreciate him trying to get a new hospital built for her," Robinson said.

Interim President Doug Whitlock said Fletcher's presentation was very informative and Eastern was glad to have the governor on campus.

He said he expects Beshear to come to Eastern and present his side later in the semester.