Two buses packed with supporters in favor of a proposal to allow video lottery terminals at Kentucky's racetracks left Turfway Park Wednesday morning bound for Frankfort.
Earlier this week, the General Assembly gathered for a special session to deal with the state's budget problems and threats to Kentucky's $4 billion horse industry.
Supporters say 100,000 people work in Kentucky's horse industry. They feel those jobs are in jeopardy if the proposal does not pass.
"We're hoping to get the point across that something needs to happen or this state is going back to the stone age," said Jeff Chapman, a Turfway Park employee.
Northern Kentucky gaming supporters joined hundreds of others from across the Commonwealth on the front steps of the Capitol.
Two-time Kentucky Derby winner Calvin Borel was among them. Organizers also brought 12,000 petitions gathered in the last several weeks in support of House Bill 2.
"As long as I'm governor, Jane and I will be standing shoulder to shoulder with you to preserve this industry and make sure we remain the horse capital of the world! Now lets get to work and pass this bill," said Gov. Steve Beshear.
House democrats have now changed the bill to include money for improvements to education.
"We call it an economic development package or stimulus package
which calls for the building and eliminating of our worst schools in this state along with more funding for higher education," said the House speaker, Rep. Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg.
However, not all parties are convinced.
"I'm trying to weigh what's best for Kentucky and what's best for Northern Kentucky, in my district. It's a difficult decision. I'd rather see it go on the ballot," said Rep. Adam Koenig, R-Erlanger.
"The whole history of gambling in this state is based on a history of broken promises. They told people in 1988 they were going to spend the money on education. They didn't for 10 years. People called up here asking what happened to the lottery money. So the promises that have been made in the past haven't been good problems and we don't expect these to be good either," said Martin Cothran with "Say No To Casinos."
Another committee still has to vote on the proposal before it goes to the house.
Members are expected to place their bets this Friday.
The supporters plan to join others from across the Commonwealth for a rally in support of Beshear's proposal at 10 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda.
