Lawmaker group says yes to legal gambling
February 25, 2009
State Sens. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and John Carona, R-Dallas, and state Rep. Jose Menendez, D-Dallas, said creating resort-style casinos and allowing tribal slot machines would generate jobs and recapture billions of dollars Texas loses to neighboring states that permit gambling.
Written by Andrew Kreighbaum, The El Paso Times
AUSTIN -- Expanding gambling in Texas could strengthen an ailing economy, a bipartisan group of legislators said Tuesday.
State Sens. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and John Carona, R-Dallas, and state Rep. Jose Menendez, D-Dallas, said creating resort-style casinos and allowing tribal slot machines would generate jobs and recapture billions of dollars Texas loses to neighboring states that permit gambling.
The lawmakers filed a bill that would establish an appointed state gambling commission empowered to hand out contracts for new casinos and legalize gambling by Indian tribes, such as the Tiguas in El Paso. Ellis said the market would determine the number of licenses awarded.
Part of the proceeds from the casinos would go to higher education scholarships and to help pay for road projects.
The Legislature is working with a budget that is $9 billion smaller than it was two years ago. "I don't think anyone in this building can responsibly say Texas doesn't need more money," Ellis said.
Menendez said the state loses billions in tax revenue to surrounding states.
Texans for Economic Development, a lobby for the horse- and dog-racing industry, said those lost revenues could be recaptured without constructing new casinos.
"Our studies show that we can recapture a huge amount of the billions flowing over our borders by simply allowing slot machines at racetracks," Executive Director Tommy Azopardi said in a statement.
A co-author of the bill is Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which writes the state budget. His support could help persuade members of the benefits for the state, said Rep. Norma Chávez, D-El Paso.
Andrew Krei ghbaum may be reached at akreighbaum@elpasotimes.com; 512-479-6606.
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