Kentucky Baptist Convention Committee on Public Affairs

Promote Voter Registration This Month!

Site Administrator — Wed, 1 Sep 2010 10:00:00 -0400

The Kentucky Baptist Convention's Committee on Public Affairs is encouraging churches to promote voter registration this month ahead of the fall's election. Holding a non-partisan voter registration drive is easy and churches are allowed by Internal Revenue Service rules to hold such drives as long as no political party is endorsed or promoted.

To have a voter registration drive, churches simply need to:

Download a voter registration form and duplicate copies. The voter registration form, a sample form and more ideas about hosting a voter registration drive can be found at www.votekentucky.us.
Encourage people in the church who are eligible but who have not registered to fill out a form. Individuals must be 18 years old or older on or before election day and be a U.S. citizen.
Turn the forms into your county clerk before Oct. 4. (Doing this by the end of September will be even better!)

2010 Walk for Life Coming Up in Louisville

Site Administrator — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:34:39 -0400

The Kentucky Right to Life organization's 2010 Walk for Life is coming up on Saturday, Sept. 11, in Louisville. Find out more and find a flyer for the event at the KRLA website.

The theme this year is "A Person's A Person, No Matter How Small!"

Bill Authorizing Internet Gambling Advances

Site Administrator — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:47:06 -0400

In a summer that has seen one bad decision after another by courts and governmental entities on both the state and national level when it comes to moral issues , the United States took a step toward legalizing Internet gambling when a Congressional committee voted to send a bill authorizing it to the full House.

Here's the story from Baptist Press:

WASHINGTON (BP)--Congressional advocates for legalizing Internet gambling in the United States have made progress in their effort less than two months after rules implementing a 2006 law that cracked down on the practice finally took effect.

The Financial Services Committee of the House of Representatives voted 41-22 to forward to the full chamber the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act, H.R. 2267.

The bill would have the effect of rescinding the four-year-old Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which largely barred online gambling in the United States by requiring financial institutions to block credit card and other payments to Internet wagering businesses. Long-delayed regulations enforcing the law went into effect June 1.

The new online gambling measure, sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank, D.-Mass., would both legalize such wagering and authorize the federal government to regulate it.

The committee's July 28 action came barely a week after Southern Baptist ethicist Richard Land and other pro-family leaders wrote congressional leaders to express their opposition to the new bill, as well as a related proposal. The latter measure -- the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act, H.R. 4976 -- would provide for taxation of gambling revenues in conjunction with Frank's legislation.

Click here to read the full story.

Expanded Gambling Predictions for Kentucky

Site Administrator — Sun, 30 May 2010 10:00:00 -0400

The following is a guest post from Dr. Ivan Zabilka, a research analyst for The Family Foundation of Kentucky and one of the most knowledgeable individuals in the state on attempts to expand gambling in the Commonwealth.

Zabilka is a retired educator and historian. He has two theological degrees (M.Div. and Th.M.) from Asbury Theological Seminary and two degrees in U. S. History (M.A. and Ph.D.) from the University of Kentucky, with a specialty in the history of science. He has been an active opponent of gambling expansion since 1992 when he personally saw in his classroom the damage caused by gambling. He has three published books and numerous published articles in both history and about gambling.

What is in store for Kentucky?

Each year Spectrum Gaming Group puts out a list of 21 expected trends for the year. A couple of their 2010 trends relate to Kentucky.

Kentucky and Massachusetts are specifically named as states that will face increasing pressure to introduce racinos because of expansion in neighboring states. This comes as no surprise but will require continued effort on the part of us who oppose.

Another trend is that racinos are continuing to press for lowered tax rates, since they generally pay higher rates than casinos in the same state. We can expect this whining to begin the minute the racinos (if ever approved) open and fail to meet the revenue projections. This failure is a sure thing, since the projections are so high. Since the tracks have wheedled the Legislature down to about 1.5% effective tax rates, they will certainly not be satisfied with a 25-28% tax rate on the casinos.

There is an increasing trend toward electronic table games in casinos. These allow for less skill on the part of the player, and result in safer bets for the house. Even were Kentucky to approve table games we might never see a live dealer, which would undercut the jobs promises.

Gambling analysts regard the approval of Internet gambling as a sure thing, if not this year then next. Then you will be able to destroy your life from your living room with unregulated and slow to pay overseas games.

Off-reservation Indian gambling facilities are making progress against restrictions. They succeeded in getting the more recent Bush administration to change the restriction from the reservation to within 50 miles of the reservation. Now they are pressing to go anywhere in the state. Will over state lines be next? Then Kentucky could have a Cherokee casino, even though we have no recognized tribes and no reservations.

Once racinos are approved (if ever) we can then expect pressure to allow VLTs at taverns to raise the money the tracks don’t.

The pressure to expand gambling will probably never go away, until people on an individual basis decide to stop. The picture is grim, and we need continuous vigilance to avoid being overwhelmed.

Casinos Haven’t Helped Racing in New York

Site Administrator — Mon, 31 May 2010 10:00:00 -0400

New York Racing Woes

Perhaps casino gambling doesn’t solve all track problems. The New York Racing Authority has been teetering on the brink of bankruptcy for over three years. This week Charles Hayward, the NYRA Chairman, said that the racing season would end within three weeks at Belmont, that is, the day after the running of the Belmont Stakes the third leg of the Triple Crown. The New York City OTB system owes the NYRA $17 million, but the NYCOTBs are bankrupt as well. The NYRA was to receive bundles of cash from slots at Aqueduct. But the legislation passed in 2001 still has not been implemented nine years later, with no machine vendor approved.

Now the winners of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness are not running in the Belmont and predictions are that betting is going to tank there as well. Supposedly the state of New York promised to bail out the NYRA if they could not get regulations and vendors in place by April 2009. Today it was reported that the state will loan the NYRA $15 to $25 million to keep it afloat until Saratoga begins its meet in July. The NYRA will repay the loan with proceeds from the Aqueduct slots which are now scheduled to begin in August even though a vendor has not been selected.

The Kentucky legislators who have been resisting getting into the slots business at the tracks are looking smarter all the time. Churchill and Keeneland continue to prosper, while competitors continue to struggle. We can now watch and see how Florida fares with slots. The two Indiana tracks continue to hover near bankruptcy even with slots. Pennsylvania continues to be the only slots state that seems to have improving tracks. We shall see.

Senate Bill Promotes Alcohol Distribution

Site Administrator — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:43:57 -0400

LEGISLATIVE ALERT!

Kentucky citizens need to contact their state representatives immediately in order to defeat a bill introduced in the General Assembly's special session this week that will allow free alcohol distribution at venues throughout the Commonwealth. Senate Bill 5 was approved today and sent on to the House where it appears it will be voted upon on Friday. This bill allows for the distribution of free promotional samples of distilled spirits in various venues in Kentucky.

The bill was slipped into the mix for the General Assembly's special session called to approve a state budget. (Legislators were supposed to have passed a budget during the regular session but failed to do so.) The alcohol legislation has been billed as something that would be beneficial for the World Equestrian Games being held in Lexington in October. The legislation does not limit the distribution to this equestrian event, however, so alcohol dealers will certainly take advantage of this to make this kind of distribution permanent.

The bill is being opposed by both the Family Foundation of Kentucky and the Kentucky Ethics League.

Please call your representative immediately by calling the Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7161 and urge a "NO" vote on Senate Bill 5. If you do not know who your state representative is, the message line operator will help you get the message to the right person.

Click here to read a story about the bill from the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Minister Defeats Gay Activist in Primary

Site Administrator — Wed, 26 May 2010 10:00:00 -0400

A Kentucky Baptist pastor who serves in the Kentucky General Assembly fended off a gay-rights activist challenger in the recent Democtatic primary. Rep. Tom Riner, pastor of Christ is King Baptist Church, defeated Mike Slaton, a Louisville Metro Parks Worker, with 61 percent of the vote.

Here's the story from the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Longtime state Rep. Tom Riner survived a challenge by a well-known and better-funded liberal activist in the Democratic primary for the 41st House seat in Jefferson County.

Riner, 63, pastor of Christ is King Baptist Church, received 61 percent of the vote with 100 percent of the precincts reporting, according to unofficial results. His opponent, Louisville Metro Parks worker Mike Slaton, 28, received nearly 40 percent of the vote.

“I'm grateful to God and the people of the 41st district for grace to represent the interest of the commonwealth for another two years,” Riner said Tuesday.

Riner will face Republican Nathan Haney, who had no primary opposition, in the November election. Riner has served the heavily Democratic district for 28 years.

Slaton, a former organizer for the Fairness Campaign, a Louisville-based gay rights group, raised roughly $7,000 more than Riner, according to campaign finance records. Slaton said he challenged Riner because he believes he is far more conservative than the district.

“My argument is that this is a more progressive district than the representative and we had clearly at least 40 percent of the electorate agree with me,” Slaton said. “We were hoping to motivate some new people to get to the polls that I guess didn't get out there.”

Slaton said although he raised more money for the campaign, Riner has spent years sending out mailings and questionnaires to constituents on his own dime.

Riner is best known for sponsoring and supporting bills that permitted the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public buildings with other historical documents; allowed the phrase “In God We Trust” to be posted in the House and Senate chambers; and required the state Homeland Security office to hang a plaque recognizing God's role in keeping the country safe.

Click here to read the full story from the Louisville Courier-Journal.

60 Minutes Takes on Predatory Gambling

Site administrator — Mon, 24 May 2010 10:00:00 -0400

60 Minutes commentator Andy Rooney takes on the gambling industry in this recent commentary. Check it out above.

Or, if you can't see the embedded video in this post, click here to see the text of Rooney's remarks.

Liberty Voters Turn Back Alcohol Expansion

Site Administrator — Sat, 22 May 2010 09:50:39 -0400

Voters in the city of Liberty in Casey County took a strong stand against the expansion of alcohol sales in a recent local option election. The election results show what can happen when concerned citizens take a stand.

Read more about it in this article by Larry Rowell from the Casey County News:

Depending on who is asked, the defeat of the question to sell alcohol by the drink in Liberty will either promote the moral character of the county or hinder economic growth in the county.

The "no" forces just pulled out a 376-303 victory with 55 percent of the city's 1,225 registered voters casting ballots.

Voters in two out of three precincts rejected the alcohol proposition. Voters in Liberty A turned it down 131-98, as did Liberty C, 93-65. Only Liberty B passed the measure by a narrow margin, 127-120.

Bro. Ricky Rodgers, pastor of the Goose Creek Baptist Church and lead organizer of the alcohol opposition movement "Liberty to Say No to Alcohol," said that the voters have spoken and Liberty will stay dry, at least for the next few years.

"I praise the Lord for this victory — it makes me feel good," Rodgers said.

Click here to read the full article on the Casey County News website.

High Court Strikes Down Cumberlands Funding

Site Administrator — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:10:29 -0400

The Kentucky Supreme Court is reversing a decision by the state General Assembly to allocate $11 million to the University of the Cumberlands to open a new pharmacy school. Although the Kentucky Baptist Convention school had been allocated the funds by the state legislature, a lower court later ruled that the expenditure would violate the state constitution because of the school's religious affiliation. The Kentucky Supreme Court decision was in response to an appeal of that lower court judge's ruling in the matter.

Here's the story from Associated Baptist Press:

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABP) -- The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled April 22 that Baptist-affiliated University of the Cumberlands cannot use $10 million of taxpayer money to build a pharmacy school.

The high court said the funds, appropriated by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2006, violate the state constitution's prohibition on public funding of "any church, sectarian or denominational school." In a divided decision, justices also ruled that a $1 million scholarship program for students at the school violated a section of the constitution that says "where a general law can be made applicable, no special law shall be enacted."

Formerly called Cumberland College, the University of the Cumberlands is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Founded by Baptist ministers in 1889, the school has historically served students primarily from the collective mountain regions of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Alabama traditionally known as Appalachia.

State lawmakers appropriated funds to begin a school of pharmacy there so that students from the area wouldn't have to travel so far to get a pharmacological education. Legislators reasoned the action would also make it more likely they would remain close to home to pursue their careers.

Click here to read the full story from Associated Baptist Press.

The "Economic Development" of Casinos

Site Administrator — Tue, 6 Apr 2010 13:57:50 -0400

Gambling expansion proponents are always touting the "economic development" that casinos will bring to a state or community. Check out this video from Massachusetts to get a picture of what really happens.

Click here if you can't see the embedded video in order to watch it on YouTube.

Legislator Wants Local Option Gambling Votes

Site Administrator — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:16:00 -0400

Although expanded gambling legislation appears to be dead for one more year in the General Assembly, there are definitely legislators working on ways to help the gambling industry in the future.

Here's a recent story from the Bowling Green Daily News about one legislators' efforts to promote local option votes for counties with racetracks.

Riggs says statewide vote on expanded gaming is not necessary
Legislator: Counties with tracks should get final say on gambling

By JENNA MINK, The Daily News

A state representative is promoting a new path for expanded gambling, which could impact Kentucky Downs horse racing track in Franklin.

Rep. Steve Riggs, D-Louisville, suggests residents in the seven counties with racetracks decide whether to allow electronic gambling. Expanded gambling, which is at the center of Gov. Steve Beshear’s administration and has been criticized and debated, ordinarily would be put to a statewide vote.

While there is no written proposal, Riggs is pitching the idea that residents in counties with racetracks have the final vote on whether to bring expanded gambling into their communities - much like wet-dry votes on alcohol sales.

And, according to Riggs, many legislative leaders agree with him.

Click here to read the full story on the newspaper's Web site.

Sex on TV Becoming Increasingly Explicit

Site Administrator — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:51:04 -0400

Television has long been one of those communications mediums with a slippery slope when it comes to decency. Some say programming merely reflects our culture. Others say TV programming helps to drive the culture to the lowest common denominator by desensitizing its audiences in the areas of violence, sexual relations, crude language and general rude behavior.

Regardless of what drives what, though, there's no debating that all of the above are available to viewers in increasing quantities through their television sets. What was once viewable only by attending an R- or X-rated movie or by buying a magazine kept behind the counter is now on full display through broadcast and cable television programs targeted at mainstream audiences.

In its Jan. 22 issue, USA Today recently provided insight into the offerings that are available. In the piece, Gary Strauss traces the history of sex on TV from the 1950s when married couples couldn't be shown sleeping in the same bed until today when viewers can see a new 13-week series on the Starz channel that includes nudity, group sex and other graphic scenes in abundance.

The Parents Television Council, a nonpartisan education organization, has compiled numerous pieces of research on the impact of such television programming on children and families, including an interesting tidbit from 2005 that showed that the ABC show Desperate Housewives was the most popular show among children aged 9-12. And, in November 2008, Time magazine produced an article based on research from the Rand Corporation showing that teen girls exposed to the most sexual content on TV are twice as likely as teens watching less sex on TV to become pregnant before they reach age 20. The article said previous research had indicated this occurs because the TV programming encourages teens to become sexually active earlier and by promoting inconsistent contraception use.

According the L.A. Times, even the advertising our children are seeing on TV is getting more adult. In an article last year, the newspaper cited primetime liquor advertising and infomercials touting extramarital affairs and adult products.

This kind of programming exists for only one reason. It makes money, both for the stations and for the advertisers. Christians who are concerned need to respond by contacting stations, sponsors, government regulators and legislators; and by speaking out through letters to their local newspapers and other public forums. But mostly, we need to respond by sharing Jesus with our neighbors. No amount of external protest is likely to push the culture toward decency. Our society will change for the better only when a preponderance of people hear and receive the Gospel.

Gambling Expansion Bill May Be Dead

Site Administrator — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:12:28 -0400

Sometimes people feel like it doesn't really matter if they call their legislators about issues that concern them. "What can one person do?" or "My lone voice can't make a difference" are common statements made by people who choose not to get involved. This week we have a great example of why those statements are false and of the good that can come when people stand up for what is right.

A gambling expansion bill that last week seemed poised to pass the state Senate easily is now on life support after people called their legislators to express their opposition to this attempt to slide gambling expansion through the General Assembly this year. The bill would have authorized what are essentially slot machines by calling the machine's games parimutuel wagering. Thankfully, people were not fooled. This week saw the bill returned to the Senate committee that had approved it for major retooling and the bill's author is now saying the likelihood of the bill being reported out again are slim.

Here's the latest on the bill's fate from the Courier-Journal in Louisville:

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Legislation to help Kentucky’s horse industry by authorizing an electronic gambling game suffered a major — and possibly fatal — setback Wednesday when it stalled in a Senate committee.

Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, decided against bringing the bill to a vote in his State and Local Government Committee because of a lack of support.

Thayer said opposition to the game — known as Instant Racing — has grown in the last few days. The opponents, including the group Say No To Casinos, have argued that any such game would amount to an expansion of gambling in the state.

“There are challenges present in building a consensus on this issue and so we’re going to pass over this bill perhaps for another time,” Thayer told the committee.

He said that the bill is not dead and that he was passing over it as a way to buy time and let the storm of opposition pass.

However, Wednesday was the 49th day of the 60-day legislative session, and the bill faces several hurdles, including lukewarm support, at best, in the House.

Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, said it is “very doubtful” that the bill will advance this year.

Click here to read the full story.

State Senate Now Looking to Expand Gambling

Site Administrator — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:08:36 -0400

There was a disturbing development in the state Senate last week as a bill that would expand gambling in Kentucky by allowing slots-like machines at Kentucky's racetracks received committee approval. The machines would operate very similarly to slot machines even though proponents claim that they are actually horse racing machines that simply allow bettors to place bets on old races.

The bill quickly sailed through committee and is now set for a vote early this week. One of the most disturbing aspects about the committee's passage of this bill is that the legislation has originated on the Senate side of the legislature and apparently has the support of leaders who have previously been staunchly opposed to expanding gambling. In the past, gambling expansion bills have come from the House.

The only saving grace at this point is that House leaders are claiming to be cool to the bill and that they would only take it up once the budget has been approved. That often doesn't take place until the very end of the legislative session. The racetracks are also somewhat downplaying the bill, saying that while helpful, these games are not as profitable as slots or video lottery terminals.

This may be one of those moments, however, when, like Brer Rabbit in the old Uncle Remus tale, the racetracks are saying "please don't throw me in that briar patch" and would actually be thrilled to get this bill passed as a stepping stone to regular slot machines.

Here's the latest story about the bill and its prospects from the Courier-Journal in Louisville:

FRANKFORT, Ky. — House leadership reacted coolly Friday to a proposal in the Senate to allow Kentucky tracks to operate an electronic game that — while resembling a slot machine — lets players bet on old races.

Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark, D-Louisville, said House leaders wouldn’t address the issue until after the 2010-2012 state budget is done. That often takes until the last day, or even last minutes, of a legislative session.

“We’re not going to jump into that,” Clark said. “We want to make sure that what we do is right. But I personally think if we’re going to expand gaming we ought to go ahead and do full-blown slots at the tracks.”

The Senate proposal, which uses a bill that has passed the House, could be voted on by the full body next week. The Senate plan would allow the slot-like electronic game called Instant Racing at the eight existing Kentucky tracks.

Instant Racing allows gamblers to bet on previously run races that aren’t identified until the wagering is completed. It is currently used at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

Click here to read the full story.

Gambling Proposals Popping Up Again

Site Administrator — Sat, 6 Mar 2010 20:44:50 -0400

It had been hoped that 2010 would be a year when there would at least be a breather from the gambling industry's incessant push to expand gambling in Kentucky. Unfortunately, now that the initial work on the budget is being completed and legislators are well passed the filing deadline for this November's elections, proposals to allow "electronic games of skill" at the state's racetracks are now surfacing.

These proposals are yet another smokescreen to allow the gambling industry to begin vacuuming money out of the pockets of Kentucky citizens and should be seen as such. There's very little difference between the machines being proposed and slot machines that the racetracks really want except for the fact that the user has to actually play a game to lose their money rather than simply pushing a button. This forces gamblers to lose more slowly, which is why they are not seen to be as lucrative as regular slot machines. They are still very dangerous for Kentucky's citizens and economy, however.

And how long would it be once these machines are approved before the big gambling corporations would be asking for more? The one sure bet is that they will never be satisfied.

Here's coverage about the latest proposal in the General Assembly from The Courier-Journal in Louisville:

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A second bill to allow so-called “electronic games of skill” at racetracks was filed Thursday, but the debate over expanded gambling appeared no closer to resolution.

Democratic Floor Leader Ed Worley of Richmond estimated that his Senate Bill 224 would provide $34.8 million for purses at tracks in 2011-12.

The bill is almost the same as House Bill 601, filed earlier this week by Rep. Harry Moberly, D-Richmond.

Kentucky’s horse industry leaders have argued that they need expanded gambling to level the playing field with states that use casino proceeds to boost purses and breeding incentives.

Industry officials have said they’re willing to consider the skill games proposal, which Worley and others say is not as lucrative as the traditional slot machines in some neighboring states’ casinos.

“The only thing that I’m thinking about is what (would be) some resolution to the dilemma that our horse industry finds itself in,” said Worley, who indicated that the industry supports the concept.

“You can ask anybody that has read it in the industry and I think they would tell you that, absent of slots or casinos, this is a viable option,” he said.

Patrick Neely, executive director of the pro-slots Kentucky Equine Education Project, stopped short of a full endorsement.

“Electronic games of skill … have produced positive results in Arkansas, and we are supportive of current efforts to provide relief from the overwhelming competitive advantages our neighboring states enjoy,” he said.

The plan in the two is similar to the gambling parlor at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. There, electronic games like video blackjack are in place, along with Instant Racing, a device that resembles a slot machine but uses previously run races to determine winners in a pari-mutuel format.

Meanwhile, Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, said he will offer a plan to help the horse industry by altering currently filed bills — Thursday was the deadline for new Senate bills. But he declined to provide specifics.

Click here to read the full story on the Web site of The Courier-Journal.

Ultrasound Bill To Go Before House Panel

Site Administrator — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:15:25 -0400

A bill that would require abortionists to allow a woman seeking an abortion to see an ultrasound of her developing baby before going through the procedure is expected to have a hearing before the House Health and Welfare Committee on Thursday, Feb. 25. The hearing will be most likely held in Room 169 at 12 p.m.

Senate Bill 38 passed its Senate committee on Jan. 14 and was approved by the full Senate with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 32-4 but bills similar to this one have died in House committee meetings such as this one.

Citizens interested in having their voices heard are encouraged to attend the hearing. It will be helpful to fill the room to standing room only to show the committee that Kentuckians believe that fully informing women about the risks and alternatives to abortion, along with showing women considering an abortion the ultrasound of their unborn baby helps protect women and children.

If you cannot attend, please call the General Assembly's legislative message line at 1-800-372-7181 toll free and ask to leave a message with your House representative and the members of the House Health and Welfare Committee. You do not have to talk to a legislator and the receptionist will help you if you do not know who your representative is. Your message can be as simple as "Pass SB 38, the ultrasound bill."

Call Now to Support Ultrasound Bill

Site Administrator — Wed, 3 Feb 2010 17:17:53 -0400

Citizens are urged to call their legislators in Frankfort in an effort to forestall a backroom decision to kill a bill that would require abortionists to allow a woman seeking an abortion to see an ultrasound of her developing baby before going through the procedure. Senate Bill 38 passed its Senate committee on Jan. 14 and was approved by the full Senate with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 32-4 last week.

The bill must now be assigned to a House committee for consideration but rumors persist that House leadership intends to kill the bill by sending it to a committee with a chairman that favors abortion. Similar legislation has been derailed in the same way for the past two years.

Citizens interested in having their voices heard on this issue should call the General Assembly's legislative message line at 1-800-372-7181 toll free. Just leave a message with the receptionist. You do not have to talk to a legislator and the receptionist will help you if you do not know who your representative is. Your message can be as simple as "Pass SB 38, the ultrasound bill."

A rally to support the ultrasound bill brought an enthusiastic crowd to the state capitol building rotunda Wednesday. Here's the story from The Courier-Journal of Louisville:

FRANKFORT, Ky. — An enthusiastic crowd filled the Capitol Rotunda Wednesday to show opposition to abortion and support for a bill that would require women seeking the procedure to undergo an ultrasound.

“Senate Bill 38 is a very important bill,’’ said Sen. Elizabeth Tori, R-Radcliff, the bill’s sponsor.

She urged those at the Kentucky Right Life Rally to call lawmakers in support of the measure, which also would require a woman seeking an abortion to meet with a health professional 24 hours beforehand for counseling.

“It has a long way to go yet,’’ Tori said of the bill, which passed the Senate Jan. 25 and is pending in the House Health and Welfare Committee, where a similar bill died last year on a tie vote.

Click here to read the full story.

Efforts to Expand Alcohol Sales Continue

Site administrator — Wed, 3 Feb 2010 14:16:45 -0400

Don Cole, director of the Kentucky Ethics League, has reported on recent news to expand the availability of alcohol in Kentucky.

Leitchfield (Grayson County)-- Voters will be casting ballots on allowing on alcohol by the drink in restaurants that seat 100 or more on March 23. Please be in prayer for the citizens of Leitchfield, KY which is located in Grayson County. Citizens opposed to the measure have organized with 66 attending a recent meeting at Clearview Baptist Church. The Kentucky Ethics League is working with these citizens on the issue.

Trigg County -- A judge has ruled that dry forces in precincts that voted dry in a recent election to make the county wet can petition for precinct elections in those precincts.

Odds of Addiction Grows With More Casinos

Site Administrator — Wed, 3 Feb 2010 13:47:38 -0400

Here's and interesting story from the Tulsa World newspaper documenting how the number of problem gamblers grows with the number of casinos.

Rebecca is a mother of three and a practicing licensed professional counselor.

She also is one of a growing number of Tulsans whose lives have been disrupted by an uncontrollable compulsion to gamble.

Until five years ago, Rebecca had never gambled and had no interest in it.

In June 2004, after a series of personal crises that included the loss of a job and a grandparent, she began to go to the Cherokee Casino to play gaming machines on her lunch hour.

"It seemed harmless enough," she said, "a time to unwind and escape."

Within a month, she found herself gambling away money that she needed for rent.

"It really got ahold of me hard and fast," she said. "I call it a roller coaster to hell."

Over a 10-day period in August of that year, she wrote 10 checks for amounts from $100 to $2,500.

"I went off the deep end," she said. "It was completely irrational. I told myself, 'I'll win the money to cover the checks.' "

But she didn't, and she found herself borrowing money, pawning her goods and in court paying fines for writing bad checks.

Rebecca eventually went to Gamblers Anonymous and got her life back on track.

Other problem gamblers have not. Some are in prison for embezzlement, some have committed suicide and others have lost everything.

A form of Las Vegas-style (Class III) Indian gaming was legalized in Oklahoma five years ago. Before that, tribes offered Class II gaming. The state now has more than 100 casinos. Three of the largest are in the Tulsa area. Only California has higher Indian gaming revenues than Oklahoma.

And as the number of casinos has increased, so has the number of problem gamblers.

Click here to read the full Tulsa World article.