Topeka — Sparks flew Wednesday after House Speaker Doug Mays blocked an attempt to get quick approval of a compact between the state and two American Indian tribes to build a $210 million casino and hotel in Wyandotte County.
A visibly angry House Speaker Pro Tem John Ballou, a Republican from Gardner, accused Mays of "hiding from an open and honest debate on gambling."
Mays, a Republican from Topeka, adjourned a meeting of the Legislative Coordinating Council before gambling supporters could ask the committee of seven legislative leaders to vote on the proposed compact.
The move by Mays essentially put the compact at the bottom of a steep political hill by delaying any action on the issue until the legislative session starts in January, and by requiring approval before the full Legislature to advance the compact.
Mays defended his actions, saying it would have been wrong to allow the LCC, which he chairs, to make a decision on the compact instead of the full Legislature. The LCC has the authority to make decisions when the Legislature is not in session.
"Something of this magnitude should not be decided by seven members of the Legislature," Mays said.
The proposed compact was fashioned between Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' office and members of the Kickapoo and Sac and Fox tribes, which have made plans to build a top-class casino and hotel near the Kansas Speedway. The compact would guarantee the state $50 million or more per year in revenues.
Sebelius expressed disappointment with Mays' decision.
"I would have preferred that the LCC follow Kansas law and consider the compact today," Sebelius said. She said the proposal would create jobs and generate revenue for education and health care.
She said she hoped that putting gambling before the full Legislature would not detract from other important issues.
Emily Conklin, vice chairwoman of the Kickapoo tribe, said she was also disappointed that the compact was not discussed by the LCC.
"I think what we have crafted is in the best interest of the state of Kansas," Conklin said.
Speaker wants Legislature to vote on gaming compact (11-15-04)Asked what she thought when Mays quickly adjourned the LCC meeting before a packed crowd of gambling interests, Conklin paused for about five seconds and then said, "No comment."
"I feel bad for them," Mays said of the tribes involved, but added that because of the large size of the project, the tribes should have planned to go before the full Legislature for consideration.
In addition, Mays said even if Ballou, who is a member of the LCC, had been able to get the compact before the committee for discussion, it probably wouldn't have passed.
Right before Mays adjourned the meeting, Ballou waved his hand to be recognized to speak, but Mays didn't call on him. Mays later said he didn't see him.
In a related development, an Oklahoma polling firm that works for primarily conservative Republican candidates released a survey that said 78 percent of Kansans preferred that the Legislature decide the compact issue instead of the LCC.
"Kansas voters are united in their opposition to having a small seven-member leadership committee approving tribal gaming compacts," Pat McFerron, a pollster with Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates, said.
McFerron said the company did the poll on its own as a vehicle to launch a polling newsletter in Kansas. The poll of 500 registered voters was conducted Nov. 14-15 and has margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percent.
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