Protect the Partnership is a coalition of local business and civic leaders and community organizations opposed to the re-opening of the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act and the reduction in gaming taxes at The Woodlands. Changing the laws to provide a tax break to the new Woodlands owner, Phil Ruffin, will hurt education, local charities, community organizations and would send a signal to businesses that Kansas is not a trusted business partner. The push to reopen The Woodlands at a lower tax rate is being led by billionaire Phil Ruffin, from Las Vegas and a small group of non-Wyandotte County horse and dog-racing interests that do not have a stake in the future of Wyandotte County. They continue to try and persuade legislators in Topeka that this action must be taken in order to open the Woodlands and save their industry. However, what they don’t tell the public is that they can re-open racing and install slot machines at the Woodlands today under the current law. But their push to cut their taxes will be to the detriment of other businesses who have already committed and invested in this community.
