Governor Fletcher brings anti-casino message to Eastern
Fletcher argues casino gambling will harm economy
Finley, Marty
Issue date: 8/30/07 Section: News
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.
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.
