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Minutes for SB207 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Amendments to the Kansas expanded lottery act relating to racetrack gaming facilities.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 23, 2017
Chairperson LaTurner opened the hearing on SB 207.
Senator Fitzgerald spoke of the need for the Woodlands racetrack for growing jobs and the economy in Wyandotte county(Attachment 1).
Senator Olson said that the Woodlands was one of the best attractions in Kansas. (Attachment 2)
Kimberly Svaty said the reopening of the Woodlands would help the economy by seeing 3,000 new jobs.(Attachment 3)
Scot Beeler said there was a ground swell of support in Wyandotte county.(Attachment 4).
Jim Gartland agreed with Scot Beeler. (Attachment 5 )
Tracy Wildey said that greyhounds are meant to run. (Attachment 6)
Rita Peachmodel spoke from the audience about a horse from Kansas who won the Kentucky Derby. There was no written testimony.
Dr. Art Hall supported SB 207 because of economic possibilities (Attachment 7).
Mayor Jeff Longwell agreed with Dr. Hall. (Attachment 8)
Gary Guccione (Attachment 9) and Travis Bartley (Attachment 10) wanted to see greyhound racing again.
Janet Van Bebber wanted to see horse racing again. (Attachment 11)
Representative Hibbard wanted to see the economic impact in his district(Attachment 12).
Brad Harrelson was interested in horse racing again. (Attachment 13)
Terry Humphrey spoke against SB 207 because of the cruelty to greyhounds. (Attachment 14)
Midge Grinstead also spoke on the cruelty to the greyhounds as they raced and after their racing days were over(Attachment 15).
Whitney Damron talked about a conflict with casinos in other parts of the state. (Attachment 16)
Kevin Fowler representing the casino managers talked of suing the state of Kansas. (Attachment 17)
Steve Brunk also said there was a breach of contract by the state(Attachment 18).
Mike Taylor stated that the unified government would oppose SB 207 unless the Woodlands helped the community as much as the Hollywood Casino. (Attachment 19)
Carla Lewis submitted written testimony opposing SB 207 because of cruelty to the greyhounds.(Attachment 20)
Michael Smallwood agreed with Whitney Damron (Attachment 21).
Dan Brungardt also agreed with Whitney Damron (Attachment 22).
Kaleb Harwood also felt that there was too much cruelty to the greyhounds (Attachment 23).
Kate Meghji also had the same position as Kaleb.(Attachment 24)
Eric Stafford wrote that the Kansas Chamber was against the changing of the rules.(Attachment 25)
Sheila Martinsen wrote that she opposes SB 207 because of the cost involved (Attachment 26).
Chairperson LaTurner closed the hearing on SB 207.
