Jump to full article: Hays (KS) Daily News, 2010-03-04
Intro: since the Sunflower State already has thrown millions at neighboring states that approved gambling years ago, the majority of legislators apparently don't want to give any more away.
Why the state gets to protect its cash flow while prohibiting bars and restaurants from doing the same defies imagination -- and constitutional muster, for that matter.
Yet lawmakers cling to their good-health position.
"You'll be able to tell your children when you go home that you voted for clean air for Kansas," said Rep. Charles Roth, R-Salina.
Except for the air in every fifth hotel or motel room. . . .
This is a law that will not be universally applied. The exemptions to this law were not derived from philosophical concerns, any sense of fairness or one shred of common sense.
Special interest groups, lobbying entities and money drive the process. Legislators who don't go with the program don't get re-elected.
We only can hope the judiciary branch will receive a prompt challenge from any equally deserving business which was exempted from the exemptions. This farce masquerading as law should be struck down before July 1, when it is supposed to take effect.
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