Gubernatorial candidate proposes expansion

Joe Biesk

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003 | 11:49 a.m.

MIDWAY, Ky. -- Standing in front of his boys' elementary school, Democrat Ben Chandler on Monday outlined his sweeping "vision" for education: one whose funding hinges on expanding gambling in Kentucky.

As governor, Chandler said he would work to lower the average class size, removing disruptive students from classrooms and establishing a trust fund aimed at rebuilding schools. Like his Republican opponent U.S. Rep. Ernie Fletcher, Chandler promised every child would know how to read by the third grade.

"My goal is to work with the people of Kentucky to give every child of Kentucky the world class education that they deserve," Chandler told reporters.

Previously, Chandler said he supported allowing Kentucky voters to decide on a constitutional amendment to expand gambling. Chandler has said gambling revenue should go toward teacher pay raises.

Now, Chandler said he has expanded that idea. Under Chandler's plan, the state would use gambling revenue to establish a trust fund for educational expenses including repairing schools, providing tutors and buying new technology.

"I've said that I would prefer for it to go toward teacher salaries, but I said for education generally," Chandler said.

Currently, Kentuckians wager about $1 billion a year in casinos in neighboring states, Chandler's running mate Charlie Owen said.

This plan would help schools, while simultaneously keeping that money in the state and helping the horse racing industry, Chandler said.

"Don't mistake this to think that I am personally very enthusiastic about this," Chandler said. "This is something that I believe is necessary."

While not ruling out the prospect of full-scale casinos, Chandler said that route could hurt the state's horse industry -- a prospect he said he doesn't want to do.

Fletcher said he personally opposes gambling and does not support giving voters a constitutional amendment on the issue "at this time." However, Fletcher also has said he would not use the power of the governorship to oppose an amendment.