A number of years ago, when you looked at education, healthcare, job creation or almost any other measure of the quality of life of our citizens, Kentucky ranked very low when compared to other states. Today, not much has changed.

Have we made progress in any of these areas during those years? Of course, we have. But that progress for the most part has taken place in small increments, and because other states have taken much bigger steps, Kentucky remains near the bottom of the pile.

I for one am tired of saying "Thank God for Mississippi" when we look at how Kentucky compares with other states regarding jobs, healthcare and education. I am tired of being 45th in this, 47th in this and 48th in that. It is time for Kentucky to take a giant leap forward, and it will take bold, experienced leadership to do so.

If Kentuckians want to make this giant leap forward and truly improve the lives of Kentuckians significantly in all of these areas, we need substantially more revenue to do so. FORTUNATELY, THERE IS A PLAN TO GENERATE EXTRA REVENUE WITHOUT RAISING THE TAX BURDEN ON HARD-WORKING KENTUCKIANS--by allowing expanded gaming within our borders.

The potential economic impact is well documented, but the lack of gubernatorial leadership during the 2006 legislative session derailed the prospect of a vote by the people. REASONABLE PEOPLE MAY DISAGREE ON WHETHER TO ALLOW EXPANDED GAMING; BUT I THINK EVERYONE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ISSUE CAN AGREE THAT IT's TIME TO LET THE PEOPLE VOTE.

Here are the facts.

Kentucky is the capital of the horse breeding and sales industry and home to several fine racetracks. Yet, expanded gaming in other states is threatening the health of this industry-an industry which has a $4 billion impact on Kentucky's economy. Gaming operations at racetracks in other states have enticed many Kentucky patrons, causing our Kentucky tracks to lose significant revenue. Kentucky dollars continue to pave Illinois roads, educate the children of Indiana and care for seniors in West Virginia.

IT's TIME THAT KENTUCKY DOLLARS WENT TO HELP SOLVE KENTUCKY PROBLEMS.

As Kentucky's next Governor, I will work with the House and Senate to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot which would allow expanded gaming in Kentucky. It is time that the people be allowed to vote on whether they want expanded gaming in our state and the resulting economic benefits that it will provide.

Studies indicate that each year hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians go just across our borders to other states where expanded gaming exists. It is estimated that if Kentucky allowed expanded gaming within the state it would generate revenues of nearly $1,250,000,000.

If that money now being spent by Kentuckians out of state was instead spent here on the entertainment provided by expanded gaming, studies indicate that it would produce almost five hundred million dollars a year, each and every year, in new tax revenue for our state-five hundred million dollars each year to be spent on the education of Kentucky's children, the creation of jobs for Kentuckians, the provision of better healthcare for our people and to build and pave Kentucky's roads.

The number of locations in Kentucky where expanded gaming is allowed should be limited and strictly controlled. Those locations should be a combination of racetracks and freestanding facilities.

Allowing expanded gaming in Kentucky will give us the additional revenue needed for Kentucky to make a giant leap forward in these areas and make a significant difference in the lives of every Kentucky citizen.

It is time to put this question on the ballot and let the people of Kentucky decide. As Governor of this state, I will make sure that the people have an opportunity to make that choice.