CURRENT NEWS

LEGISLATIVE ALERT:  The State and Federal Affairs Committee will have a hearing for the proponents of SB 241 and SB 319 on 01-31-12 at the Capitol beginning at 10:30am. The hearing for opponents of these Bills will be on 2-1-12. If anyone would like to speak on either day, they can call Sen. Brungardt's office at 785.266.4355. If you have any questions or want more info, please call Cameron Roth at 785.917.0867.

 

January 26, 2012

 

To:  All Members and Supporters

Subject:   KTA LEGISLATIVE POSITION

 

 I want to make sure the members who weren’t able to attend our annual convention are clear on the KTA legislative position that was discussed there. I find this especially necessary due to the fact that there are influences from outside our organization promoting other agendas. While I have spent many hours explaining our position to other interested parties outside the KTA, I have never asked anyone to go against the consensus of their organization. We are currently in a very dynamic situation regarding Kansas racing and gaming. Now multiple related Bills sit in the Federal and State Affairs Committee. Even though another Bill has been introduced in the Senate, the KTA legislative position has not changed.  There is a long list of reasons, but most importantly it is because Senator Marshall has worked hard to keep the best interests of the horse and dog industries in SB 241. If we turn our back on those in Topeka who have worked so hard to help us, how can we expect to get help from ANYONE in the future? People who  do not support SB 241 and are behind Senate Bill 319 need to spend more time explaining to Sen. Marshall why things in his bill need to be changed and spend less effort trying to convince the KTA membership.  Senator Marshall has been nothing but straight-forward and honest with us. The legislative committee has no reason to doubt him and his opinion that he has the stated support of his fellow senators.  This opinion has been assured by the trust factor that multiple legislators expressed to me as recently as yesterday at the Capitol. They are supporting Sen. Marshall's Bill.  If people affected by this Bill need percentages or any other provisions changed, I suggest they go see him.

 

 In the case that a prospective operator either purchases or receives an option-to-purchase The Woodlands, I think the KTA would be foolish to not sit down with them and  discuss  what they need to operate the facility and why.  I talked with a potential operator as recently as this morning during a confidential in-person meeting in which I told them our door is open for discussions and possible negotiations. I plan to deliver the same message in a meeting I have scheduled with another potential operator early next week.

Any bill going to the Senate floor will have amendments proposed.  We must have the best bill on the floor if we expect success. It boils down to the fact that we think SB 241 is the best choice and has the best chance to pass.  The provisions  are the most fair and equitable when compared with other options.

If anyone has questions or concerns or wants a detailed account of why we have this legislative position, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I will discuss all the factors that brought us to this position and our strategies going forward.

 

Best Regards,

 

Cameron Roth

KTA President

(785) 917-0867

E-mail:  cameronroth@yahoo.com

 

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