THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2007
STATE
》 LEGISLATURE
5A
Casino-and-slot law passes
Dog, horse tracks could have machines in place by fall if all goes as planned
BY JOHN HANNA ASSOCIATED PRESS
TOPEKA — Supporters made quick work of enacting a casino-and-slots law, taking it from behind-the-scenes legislative negotiations to the statute books in less than a month. But a rapid start for the gambling isn't a sure bet.
The new law takes effect Thursday and permits resort casinos in Ford County, Wyandotte County, either Cherokee or Crawford County and either Sedgwick or Sumner county. Up to 2,800 slot machines eventually could be distributed among Wichita Greyhound Park, the nowclosed Camptown Greyhound Park in Frontenac and the Woodlands dog- and horse-racing park in Kansas City.
In theory, it's possible for the first of three dog and horse tracks to have slot machines in place by the fall, but it would require no regulatory or legal bumps, making the start of 2008 a more likely date. The four casino-and-hotel complexes contemplated by the law aren't likely to open until at least 2009, and that's being optimistic.
"I don't know how much time it's going to take to settle the legal questions, but it is going to take some time," said Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt (R-Independence) who voted for the gambling bill. "None of this is surprising. It's just now people are focused on it because it's a reality."
There are small unknowns, such as the time the Kansas Lottery will give potential casino developers to file proposals for building and managing the casinos. And there's one huge unknown: whether a lawsuit will cause big delays.
The law will require a county's voters to approve the new gambling, and Crawford County already has. Sedgwick County plans an election in August, and Wyandotte County expects to have one this summer.
The suddenness with which supporters of the new gambling swept away 15 years of legislative failure has inspired some optimism. As of March 19, their proposal didn't exist on paper, at least not in a form that a committee could review, and 10 days later, it had passed both chambers.
"Personally, I think slot machines could be operating by fall here in Kansas City," said Sen. Chris Steineger (D-Kansas City).
But many of the law's other supporters and the officials who will have to put it into effect think such talk is overly optimistic.
Once the law is in effect, the lottery has until May 19 to spell out its procedures for taking casino applications. It also can start working with the tracks' owners on proposed contracts for their slot machine operations.
The lottery will own both the slot machines and the new resort casinos, and the slots will be linked to a central lottery computer. However, the law contemplates that private companies will build and manage the casinos and the banks of slot machines at the tracks.
Once it accepts casino applications, the lottery has 90 days to negotiate contracts for each casino zone, with multiple, competing proposals likely to emerge from those talks. A seven-member review board will pick a single proposal for each
zone within 60 days. But the law doesn't give the lottery a deadline for accepting proposals, and the question hasn't been settled.
The process for slots at the tracks is simpler because the lottery expects to
Also, track owners anticipate ming some renovations. Phil: Ruf whose company owns both Camptown and Wichita greyhot parks, said he expects to spend million getting them ready for machines.
In addition, Ruffin predict would take 90 days to get the dreds of slots that will be inst each location.
The Prairie Band tribe, which operates it in northeast Kansas to pact with the state, to sue. It argues the section of the Kansas that permits only a s operated lottery.
But the biggest questioni litigation.
In January 1994 Supreme Court, in ruled that the term "lo enough to include slg games.
Meanwhile, the state Racing and Gaming Commission must adopt rules for the new businesses and technical standards for the slot machines - and hire new employees, including auditors and law enforcement.
But critics contend the handle the day-to-day m of the new gambling, no to a private company.
negotiate with track owners. But Director Ed Van Petten said the lottery won't be able to sign any contracts until each county has its vote.
"We've got to make sure that we have the appropriate regulatory framework in place."
"We've got to make sure that we have the appropriate regulatory framework in place," said Steve Martino, the commission's executive director. "I don't know how long that's going to take us, but it will be longer than sometime this summer."
STEVE MARTINO State Racing and Gaming director
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But no one can say how qp the court will act, whether it w schedule a special hearing this mer or wait until its next term in September.
renovating Camptown as can get crews in.
Nor can anyone predict how court would rule. Three of the justices who said "lottery" er passed slots and casino games since retired, as have two of the senators. And officials ask the court could issue an ord block all regulatory and life proceedings until it rules.
"We don't know what the tion is going to do," Van Petit
» INCLEMENT WEATHER
Surprise snow hits Kansas
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BY HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH
The Kansas Highway Patrol said the first deadly crash happened around 5:20 p.m. Friday when Jeris Louise Wunderlich, 26.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A spring storm dumped more than a foot of snow across parts of Kansas, contributing to at least three fatal weather-related crashes and stranding travelers.
of Cottonwood Falls, lost control of her car on an ice- and slush-covered stretch of Kansas 150 in Chase County. The car turned sideways and was struck by a tractor-trailer, killing Wunderlich.
fire, the patrol.
Less than an hour later, Robert Logan, 54, of Sylvia, died when he lost control of his car because of the weather. Another driver also lost control of his pickup truck as he attempted to avoid the out-of-control car, and the vehicles collided on U.S. 50 in Reno County. Logan's car caught
The third fatal crash happened around 10:45 p.m. Friday when a pickup truck hydroplaned in the slush on U.S. 75 in Woodson County and crashed into a car. The collision killed one of the car's passengers, Wayne Franklin, 51, of Olathe.
The dangerous driving conditions closed some schools and businesses Friday.
The heavy snowband stretched
"This is very odd for this time of year. This is something that you would expect to see more in the middle of winter."
from southwest Kansas across south- and east-central portions of the state in an area generally 25 miles north and south of U.S. 56, said Bill Gargan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service
JOHN KOCH Meteorologist
in Topeka.
The deepest accumulations, ranging from 5 to 15 inches, were reported in southwest Kansas.
Dodge City's airport got 7 inches of snow in 24 hours, breaking the April snowfall record for the city. The previous 24-hour record was 2.9 inches, which was set on April 12, 2004, said Ray Burgert, a meteorologist in Dodge City.
At the city's Comfort 30 of 54 rooms were filled Saturday with stranded said lessica Barragan, manager.
She said she also be at the end of her sh her husband had to pay the hotel.
"This is very odd for of year," National Weather meteorologist John K Saturday in New York. something that you would to see more in the winter."
By Saturday morning, it was spreading rain from La to Virginia and across much Ohio Valley.
The accumulation the storm moved over 5 inches in an area Emporia and Ottawa. the state early Saturday temperatures forecast and Monday are expect the snow.
"I couldn't move it was stuck," she said.
The weather system was ed to strengthen when it the East Coast on Sunday a noreaster, a storm that the coast northward, wite easterly wind driving we heavy rain.
Still Best Cash for Books Jayhawk Bookstore ...at the top of Naismith Hill
Jeff Myrick/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Don't cross the bridge
After the remaining cable holding up the "Kissing Bridge" was cut April 9 the bridge collapsed into the creek in northwest Baldwin City. The bridge had been near 11th Street for more than 30 years and had replaced one that had been there for 50 years.
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