Topeka — It was a case of "He said, he said" over slot machines.
Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley told reporters during a Friday news conference the chamber would debate a bill legalizing slot machines next week. He admitted that supporters don't have the 21 of 40 votes needed for passage.
Supporters contend slot machines will raise as much as $75 million for the state, though official estimates are lower. The bill would permit slot machines at dog and horse racing tracks.
Hensley, D-Topeka, met with Gov. Bill Graves, a Republican, on Thursday to discuss support for the slot machine bill, as well as other legislation.
"He indicated that he's willing to weigh in to the issue and start contacting Republican senators who may be on the fence at this point in time," Hensley said. "My count is there are four or five who fall in that category."
With those votes, Hensley said, the bill would pass. He reiterated that he asked Graves to help and that the governor said he would.
Later, Graves gave reporters a different version of the conversation with Hensley.
"I don't recall that I said that," Graves said, regarding making calls to senators. "What I told him is that I have publicly said that I would sign the slot machine bill if it got to my desk.
"I have not contacted anyone about slot machines. At this point, I'm uncertain about what I will or won't do."
He said Hensley had not asked him to make calls for slots, noting that there is Democratic opposition to the bill, as well.
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