Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback doesn’t think legislators will have time next year to discuss bringing slot machines to a dog-racing track in Wichita.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Brownback said Thursday that a debate about gambling will, in his words, “suck the oxygen” out of next year’s legislative session. He says it would distract from a crowded agenda that will include taxes and school funding.

A new group revealed plans last week to push to get a slots question on the ballot in Sedgwick County. A referendum on slots was narrowly defeated in 2007, prompting the closing of Wichita Greyhound Park.

Even with such a vote, legislators still would have to amend state law.