Finding additional streams of revenue is a problem all levels of government are struggling with.

To help ease the tax burden in the state and in an attempt to save the Horse Racing industry in Nebraska, state senators listened to arguments over whether to allow off-track betting.

The sport of kings has not been treated very royally recently in Nebraska.

Senator John Harms reminded the legislature that voters defeated a similar bill 14 years ago and that nothing has changed.

"Voters made it very clear that they no longer wanted to have this take place," he said. "I can tell you from my experience and at least looking at the data and the research, Nebraska doesn't change it's views very much."

Ted and Laurie Kastler of Ord aren't so sure.

"I think times have changed a lot and I was just talking to a gal today who's employed by the state and she's worried about her job because money's not there," Laurie Kastler said.

"New sources of revenue all have to be looked at and that's one of them so let the people vote on it," Ted Kastler said.

The bill would allow voters to decide on whether limited off-track betting sites should be allowed across the state.

Senator Russ Karpisck says the horse racing industry is an important segment of Nebraska's economy and could offer more.

"Let the people decide and that's why I said this is a vote in my opinion if you want to save horse racing in Nebraska," he said.

"It creates addiction, bankruptcy, crime and family destruction. that's exactly what it does for society," Senator Harms said.

Joe Janovich doesn't buy that argument.

"You can still do it on-line or you can still have your bookies, you know," he said. "It's all around so they might as well let you vote if you want to bet or not."

Especially when millions go across the river to Iowa casinos every year.

"We should put a wall between here and Iowa if we're worried about people going over to gamble," Senator Karpisek said. "If they voted it down before and they're going to do it again, so what in the world are you scared of?"

The bill did not get the votes it needed to continue.

Senator Karpisek said he is tempted to introduce a bill to ban bingo from church functions to highlight the hypocrisy of those against gambling.