TOPEKA — Over 40 pages of testimony were offered Wednesday in front of the Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee that would increase the chances of brining expanded gaming to southeast Kansas.
The bill in question, Senate Bill 401, lowers the mandatory investment for the Southeast Gaming Zone in Crawford and Cherokee counties to $100 million from $225 million. It also lowers the privilege fee to the state to $11 million from $25 million to help the zone find a potential developer.
In addition, the bill also allows for the percentage of funds from horse and dog tracks to the state to be lowered from 40 percent to 22 percent.
The primary approach to testimony on Wednesday was jobs.
“We will see what the appetite is for jobs in the state,” said Phil Ruffin Sr., owner and operator of Camptown Greyhound Park in Frontenac. “It is a fight, but I am sure that the hearings will progress.”
Camptown has sat dormant since Ruffin and the Kansas Lottery could not agree on the percentage provision of Senate Bill 66 — the bill originally passed to allow for expanded gaming.
State Sen. Pete Brungardt, R-Salina, the Committee chairman, applauded the personal and written testimony provided by the bill’s proponents.
“It was well done,” Brungardt said. “The theme is that the emphasis is on agriculture and how this pumps money back into the economy statewide.”
Even committee Democrats seemed favorable towards the bill after Wednesday’s testimony.
“I agreed with everyone in the room and I agree that it is a job bill,” said State Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, the ranking Democrat on the committee. “We have to stop losing money to our neighbor states and I think this can benefit the entire state of Kansas.
“The numbers show that this bill can help our economy in a positive way.”
Crawford County Commissioner Linda Grilz, who also is the president of TRAK-Southeast, the charitable arm of Camptown Greyhound Park, said that “passing Senate Bill 401 would give Camptown and TRAK-Southeast the opportunity to help other non-profit agencies by providing grants.”
“Everyone approached it from different angles, but it all came together,” Grilz said. “It was not a question of gambling, it is a question of economics.”
The new bill will also provide the opportunity for voters in Sedgwick County to revote on the measure to allow slots at the Wichita Greyhound Park. That measure was defeated in 2007 by about 200 votes.
“I have received phone calls from people in my district that did not understand the question about slots a the Wichita Greyhound Park,” Faust-Goudeau said. “I think the new language that is being offered is very clear.”
With regards to Camptown, Ruffin said that if the bill were to pass, the facility could be opened in about six months. He said that he was optimistic about the eventual outcome of Senate Bill 401 as well as a potential revote in Sedgwick County.
“We would have quite a bit of work to do,” Ruffin said. “We think we can win.”
Opponents to the bill are scheduled to testify on Feb. 8.
“Once we get the opponents to have their say and, if the committee wants to work the bill, we will do that,” Brungardt said. “My initial opinion is that it will be worked and moved out.”
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140
