Among their list of legislative goals in 2019, The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce believes sports wagering holds untapped revenue potential for the state and wants legislators to make it legal.
Chamber President and CEO Dave Adkisson presented at a Legislative Preview Breakfast in Murray on Friday. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law in May that banned sports wagering in most states. It stayed legal in states where it was already legal, like Delaware, Montana, Oregon and Nevada.
Horse racing is an exception in Kentucky because it’s not regulated under sports betting statutes. Adkisson said he believes legalizing sports wagering will become a reality next year due to bipartisan support.“Institutionalize it, the state can gain some revenue, we need to do it in a sensitive way so it doesn’t affect our racing industries- not just horses, but also up in northern Kentucky the Nascar track...so we have to do it in a thoughtful way,” he said.
Democratic Rep. Julian Carroll pre-filed a bill to legalize sports betting during the 2019 legislative session.
The Chamber’s other goals in 2019 include investing in infrastructure, reforming the state’s bail system and improving the state tax code. These suggested improvements include revising the limited liability tax and repealing the mandate for unitary combined reporting passed in this year’s tax reform bill. Murray-Calloway Chamber President and CEO Michelle Bundren also listed repealing the service tax on nonprofits as a priority.
The Chamber outlined enacting tobacco-free schools, ensuring affordable energy resources and reforming the state’s bail system among other top legislative priorities.
When asked about recent changes to high school graduation requirements, Adkisson said Kentucky needs to make high school diplomas “relevant and meaningful again.”
The Kentucky Board of Education passed the new requirements this week that still need legislative approval. Changes mandate students demonstrate competency in basic math and reading, and complete benchmarks intended to show they are ready for work or college before they can graduate.
Adkisson said even though Kentucky has high graduation rates, many students aren’t prepared when they leave high school. “The problem is, if a third of those people can’t read at the level we have defined as proficient in reading...so what does a diploma mean?” he said.
Adkisson said the Chamber wants to make high school diplomas appealing to employers.
The Chamber will also be keeping a close eye on the Supreme Court's decision about the controversial pension reform bill. Adkisson said the Chamber supports the contents of the bill, but doesn't necessarily support the way it was made into law.
