Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear and powerful Republican Senate President David Williams are squaring off over allowing casinos to be built in Kentucky. Beshear, who soundly defeated Williams in the November 2011 governor's race, favors …
Gambling debate devolves into mudslinging
Posted: 02/01/2012
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By: Associated Press
FRANKFORT, Ky. - Gov. Steve Beshear is accusing Senate President David Williams of "intimidations and threats" against pro-gambling lawmakers in an attempt to stymie efforts to get a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that could legalize casinos in Kentucky.
Williams fired back Tuesday that the governor "has been untruthful."
The two longtime political foes who faced each other in last year's gubernatorial election have been on opposite sides of the gambling debate for years. Beshear, a second-term Democrat, is pressing for casinos in the state. Williams, a Republican, opposes such a move.
The exchange is the latest evidence that they haven't budged from their positions on gambling in Kentucky, a state with a tradition of wagering on horse races but with a constitutional ban on casinos.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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