The district attorney’s office has filed a criminal complaint against former NBA all-star Antoine Walker alleging he failed to pay back $822,500 in gambling debts at three Las Vegas casinos.

Walker, who last played in the NBA for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008, made the all-star team three times as a member of the Boston Celtics. He also was on the Miami Heat team that won the championship in 2006. Walker was on a national championship team while in college too, as a starting forward for the University of Kentucky in 1996.

The complaint charges Walker, 32, who wants to return to the NBA, with three felony counts in passing $1 million in bad checks while taking out the markers at Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood and Red Rock Resort. By law, gambling debts in Nevada are handled as bad check cases.

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PORTLAND, Maine (BP)--Maine's citizens apparently will get to decide the future of "gay marriage" in November.
A coalition that is collecting signatures to place on the ballot a "People's Veto" initiative overturning the state's "gay marriage" said Wednesday they have passed the critical threshold of 55,000 signatures -- the number required to qualify the effort -- just four weeks after starting.

The coalition, known as Stand for Marriage Maine, will continue collecting signatures throughout the rest of the month to serve as a cushion, because hundreds if not thousands could be thrown out as invalid. Nevertheless, the fact that the coalition collected so many in so short a time span shows a significant number of citizens want to reverse the law, which was signed by the Democratic governor in early May. The law has not gone into effect and won't do so until the citizens' vote, assuming it does in fact qualify.

"We look forward to submitting the measure for certification and engaging Mainers in a vigorous defense of marriage," said Bob Emrich, founder of the Maine Jeremiah Project and an executive committee member of Stand for Marriage Maine. "Traditional marriage has never lost on the ballot in any state. We expect it to prevail in Maine."

Maine's unique "People's Veto" law -- a part of the state constitution -- allows citizens to gather signatures to try to overturn recently enacted legislation. Churches have been critical to the current People's Veto drive.

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WASHINGTON (BP)--Democrats may control the White House and Congress, but a new survey says the country isn't getting more liberal -- in fact, the opposite may be true.

The Gallup survey of 1,011 adults found that 39 percent of American adults say their "views on political issues" have grown more conservative in recent years, compared to 18 percent who say their views have grown more liberal and 42 percent who say their views have not changed. The poll was conducted June 14-17.

In fact, all three political identity groups show that adults are more likely to have grown more conservative than liberal. Among Republicans, 47 percent say they are more conservative and 9 percent more liberal. For Independents, it's 37 percent (more conservative) and 19 percent (more liberal), and for Democrats, 34 percent (more conservative) and 23 percent (more liberal).

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Dr. Stanley Lowenbraun, a once-successful Louisville cancer doctor who fell into financial ruin because of a gambling addiction, was found dead in a hotel room at a Las Vegas casino on June 20.

Lowenbraun, 66, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the Las Vegas Hilton, according to the Clark County, Nev., coroner's office.

Lowenbraun, whose oncology practice once grossed $7 million a year, declared bankruptcy in 1999 after gambling away $8 million at casinos and racetracks, including $400,000 he lost in 1998 at the hotel where he was found dead. Louisville lawyers said they believed his $13 million bankruptcy case was the largest ever in Louisville triggered by gambling problems.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Senate budget committee rejected a bill Monday night that would allow slot machines at race tracks as a way to shore up Kentucky's beleaguered racing industry.

The vote was 10-5 against sending the bill to the full Senate with no expression of whether it should pass or fail.

The measure, House Bill 2, had passed the House 52-45 on Friday.

Sponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, the measure would allow the slot-like video terminals at seven of eight Kentucky tracks and use proceeds to boost purses, breeding incentives and fund school construction projects and equipment totaling more than $1 billion.

Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, who opposes expanded gambling, had said he didn't believe the Stumbo plan would pass the Senate Appropriations and Revenue committee.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Senate President David Williams declared the video slots bill dead Thursday — even as it moved toward a vote by the full House — and said the Senate instead would consider his alternative plan to help the horse industry without expanded gambling.

"You can stick a fork in it. It's done," Williams said, repeating earlier pronouncements that the House bill does not have enough support to pass the Senate and raising the prospect of a stalemate between the two chambers.

He also said the Senate likely would put his proposal — which would tax lottery sales and out-of-state betting on Kentucky races as a way to raise racing purses and provide incentives for breeders — into a bill that also will contain revised versions of House-passed economic-development and transportation measures.

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Dear Legislator,

We are sending this letter to all General Assembly members to express the opposition of the Kentucky Baptist Convention to the proposal to expand gambling in the Commonwealth by adding slot machines to racetracks.  On behalf of the more than 2,400 Kentucky Baptist churches, we ask you to please reject this proposal yourself and to do all you can to encourage other legislators to reject it as well.

We realize that the big gambling corporations are once again spending tremendous amounts of money to pay lobbyists and use paid advertising to try to sway legislators and citizens to give them what they have sought for many years.  They spend this money year after year because they know they only have to win once in order to achieve windfall profits for years to come.

Those opposing this measure have neither the funds nor the financial incentive to compete but it is our hope that committed legislators will continue to put the best interests of Kentucky’s citizens in the forefront.  We believe that as you study this issue, you will agree with us that adding slot machines will be detrimental to Kentucky’s citizens and economy.

We have numerous public policy concerns about this legislation.  First, expanded gambling itself is a bad bet.  The promise of $796 million in increased tax revenue sounds like a windfall until one examines the numbers.  In order for Kentucky to gain this increase in taxes, people must gamble more than $5.3 billion each year.  Especially during these difficult economic times, that additional money must be drawn from the budgets of families.  People will use money that they would normally spend to feed their families to feed the slot machines.  This is bad for Kentucky families, bad for Kentucky businesses and bad for Kentucky state government.

Second, slot machines are known as the “crack cocaine” of gambling for very good reason.  The slot machine is the most addictive form of gambling ever devised.  Studies have shown that players become addicted at three times the rate of traditional “green felt” wagering.  In a day when cities and state governments are working hard to discourage smoking because of its addictive nature and negative impact on citizens, why would our government want to turn around and be actively engaged in encouraging another highly addictive product?  

Third, adding slots will not really help the horse industry in the long run.  Slots parlors are designed to get players hooked and unaware of the passage of time.  People who go to the tracks to play the slots will certainly not be in the grandstands cheering on the horses. In fact, many of those who might otherwise intend to watch the racing will be so enticed by the flashing lights of the VLTs that they never make it outside.  Horseracing will very quickly become nothing more than window dressing for the real moneymaker, the slot machine.

Finally, we feel it is highly likely that any legislation passed authorizing slot machines will be declared unconstitutional.  The record seems quite clear that voters were led to believe that voting for the lottery in no way implied support for slot machines or other forms of casino gambling.

For the sake of the Commonwealth’s future, we ask you to stand with us in opposing expanded gambling.  We share your desire for fiscal responsibility and understand the pressure the state budget is under during this recession.  We are convinced, though, that expanded gambling is not the answer.  It will do great harm to our people and our economy.

In closing, let us say that wherever you stand on this issue, we are praying for you.  We appreciate your service to our state and the difficulties you face in wrestling with very difficult decisions.  May God grant you great wisdom as you lead!  

Sincerely,
 
Paul Strahan
Chairman
Kentucky Baptist Convention Committee on Public Affairs
 
Bill Mackey
Executive Director
Kentucky Baptist Convention

Kent and Martin are scheduled to debate Patrick Neely, executive director of the Kentucky Equine Education Project, and Robert Elliston, president of Turfway Park. Rep. Keith Hall (D-Phelps) and Rep. David Osborne (R-Prospect) are also scheduled to appear.  

Please consider calling in and sharing your thoughts. Kentucky Tonight’s call-in number is 1-800-494-7605.  However, e-mail may be even better as they now accept more questions via e-mail: you may e-mail your comments or questions to kytonight@ket.org.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--The social cost of drug use has been analyzed in two federal studies released recently, including one that says half of the men arrested in 10 major U.S. cities tested positive for at least one illegal drug.

A second study found that substance abuse and addiction cost federal, state and local governments at least $468 billion in 2005, accounting for more than one-tenth of combined government expenditures for all purposes.

According to the first report, from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, a survey of drug use among booked male arrestees in metropolitan areas across the country found that as many as 87 percent tested positive for an illegal drug.

Drug use among the arrestee population is much higher than in the general population, the study, released May 28, said. The percentage of arrestees testing positive for at least one illicit drug ranged from 49 percent in Washington, D.C., to 87 percent in Chicago.

The most common substances present during tests, in descending order, were marijuana, cocaine, opiates and methamphetamine, the report said. Many men tested positive for more than one illegal drug within 48 hours of their booking.

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A day after Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear outlined his plans for offsetting a $996 million deficit, and called a special session of the Kentucky General Assembly to craft a new budget, the governor Thursday added a proposal to allow expanded gambling at the state’s horse racing tracks.

The special session of the General Assembly is scheduled to begin June 15. Lawmakers are faced with crafting a fiscal 2010 budget for the state. The current fiscal year ends June 30.

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For want of a slot machine Kentucky’s horse industry will be lost. Or so the gamblers would have us believe. Yes, the horse industry is vital to Kentucky. Yes we should nurture it. But never must we let emotional fervor and exaggerated, unsubstantiated claims mis-direct us to a non-solution that will not only harm our long term welfare, but that will also destroy the thoroughbred industry itself.

First, let’s examine the claims of those who want to add slot machines (or VLT’s) to Kentucky’s tracks. Essentially they say that Kentucky’s horse industry is in crisis because Turfway, Ellis Park and now Churchill have had to cut racing days, an event caused not by a historic recession and economic downturn but by owners taking their horses to states that allow their tracks to have slots (racinos) which in turn enables them to offer higher purses.

Yet the fact is that tracks all over the country are cutting race dates, even in racino states. In 2008 the total number of races declined 2.2%, including West Virginia which had 256 fewer races, a 6% drop, and Louisiana with 143 less, a 4% drop. Kentucky held up quite well, only down 2%. Nationally, pari-mutuel handle dropped 7.3%.

This year tracks continue to cut dates, specifically citing the economic downturn as the reason. Historic Del Mar is going to 5 days a week, first time since 1947, and according to its president, Joe Harper, it has nothing to do with the absence of slots and everything to do with the economy: “There’s a pinch on everyone due to the economy, there’s a pinch on the number of racehorses available in the state.”

Kentucky’s world-leading breeding industry is not threatened in the least. In fact Kentucky increased its share of mares bred from 36% in 2006 to 41% in 2008. The next closest was Florida at 10%. All racino states except Pennsylvania (2%) and Indiana (1%) lost ground. Kentucky-breds earned more than $436 million, an increase of 1.5% from 2007 and Kentucky-breds increased their share of the total purse money earned in 2008 to 36%.

In any case higher purses do not guarantee increased attendance or wagering. Maryland subsidized higher purses from 1998 to 2000 by 25% yet live wagering actually decreased. And in both West Virginia and Delaware live wagering and attendance remained stagnant despite tripling purse sizes following the introduction of slot machines. Each state spent a staggering $100 million and got basically nothing in return.

These facts thoroughly contradict the frantic over-the-top claims of the casino interests trying so desperately to get their foot in our door. If our signature industry is truly threatened to the point of extinction then we should unite in developing a list of options properly addressed to the root causes of the problem, none of which will include slots.

The fact is that slots at the tracks will eventually kill the thoroughbred industry. Slots hook gamblers who will rush in droves for that option over horse racing. For this reason casino style gambling is a long term mortal threat to racing. Leading economic experts Dr. John Warren Kindt and Dr. Earl Grinols have for many years warned of this danger. And the Congressional National Gambling Impact Study Commission specifically directed states to refrain from putting slots at the tracks.

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WASHINGTON (BP)--A majority in the United States describes itself as pro-life on the abortion issue, marking a substantial change in public opinion in the last year, according to a new Gallup Poll.

The survey results released May 15 showed 51 percent of adults said they are pro-life, while 42 percent identified themselves as pro-choice. It is the first time a majority of Americans have called themselves pro-life since Gallup began asking the question in 1995. Until now, no poll had shown more than 46 percent saying they are pro-life.

A year ago, the same poll, which is titled the Gallup Values and Beliefs survey, showed 50 percent considered themselves pro-choice and 44 percent pro-life.

Gallup Poll Daily, another survey by the same organization, found almost identical results a few days after its sister poll. It showed 50 percent of Americans are pro-life and 43 percent are pro-choice.

A Pew Research Center poll released April 30 found a similar shift in opinion on abortion. That survey reported support for legal abortion fell by 8 percent in an eight-month period. The percentage of American adults who believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases declined from 54 percent in August to 46 percent, according to Pew. Those who oppose legal abortion in all or most cases increased from 41 to 44 percent.

The public's notable change on the abortion issue came during a period in which Americans selected Barack Obama, a supporter of unlimited abortion rights during his legislative career, as president and increased the number of pro-choice members in Congress in November's election.

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Those who have argued against the introduction of casino-style gambling in Kentucky have always pointed to potential casualties from it. The list includes small businesses close to casinos which would lose business as well as communities that would have to increase law enforcement to deal with increased crime, and problem gamblers whose problems would worsen.

Now we can add another potential casualty to the list: the state constitution.

Last year, proponents of a casino bill talked of "letting the people decide," mis-portraying Kentucky's constitutional ratification process as a ballot referendum. This allows lawmakers to shirk their constitutional responsibility, asking the people to do what the constitution expects legislators to do themselves.

This year, the casino industry is back with a new and even more self-serving constitutional fiction: that the lottery amendment of 1988 authorized video slot machines. This will come as news to Kentuckians who voted for the lottery.

But it wouldn't be the first time a lottery promise was broken. For years after the lottery was passed, many legislators confessed that constituents frequently asked, "Whatever happened to the lottery money?" Voters were told the money would go to education. Only 10 years and many constituent phone calls later did the General Assembly attempt to keep the promise.

The backers of the new plan are promising the same thing: the money will go to education — and a few other things.

After not doing what they said they were going to do with the lottery money, they are now going to do what they said they were not going to do with the law itself: use it to justify other forms of gambling.

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WASHINGTON (BP)--The District of Columbia Council has voted to recognize "same-sex marriages" performed in other jurisdictions, providing another victory for supporters of the effort to legalize homosexual unions.

The D.C. Council voted 12-1 for the resolution, providing its second and final passage, and sent it to Mayor Adrian Fenty, who is expected to sign it. Congress, which has legislative authority over D.C., will have 30 days to review the measure. An attempt to rescind the legislation is expected to be mounted by some members of Congress, although the Democratic leadership opposes such an effort.

If approved, the legislation would enable homosexual couples in D.C. to have wedding ceremonies in states where "same-sex marriage" is legal and have those unions recognized by the district.

On May 6, the day after the D.C. vote, Maine became the fifth state to legalize "same-sex marriage." The Maine Senate passed such a bill, and Gov. John Baldacci, a Democrat, signed it the same day.

New Hampshire may soon become the sixth state to endorse homosexual marriage. The House of Representatives approved a bill to legalize the practice May 6, sending it to Democratic Gov. John Lynch, who has not indicated whether he will sign or veto it.

In addition to Maine, "same-sex marriage" also is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont. Before November, only Massachusetts and Connecticut had legalized marriage between members of the same sex.

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