Bad budget times are fertile ground for those who want to see an expansion of gambling in Texas.
“We are planning to lay out our case again to the Legislature,” said Duane Galligher, a spokesman for the Texas Gaming Association, which led the push to bring Las Vegas-style casino gambling to the state during the 2009 Legislature. “Anytime the state is looking for additional revenue, gaming always gets a more serious study. We believe this will generate a substantial amount of revenue.”
Galligher cited previous studies showing that 68 percent of Texans would approve the proposals, despite resistance in the state Capitol. Studies over the past several years have shown that revenue for casino gambling would generate between $3 billion to $4.5 billion in state and local tax revenue, he said.
Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, a leading sponsor of the 2009 casino gambling bill, has also said that he plans to revive the bill, presenting it as a huge revenue generator that could put billions into public schools and highways. The Fort Worth Stockyards have long been eyed by gambling interests as a potential site for a casino.
“If we’re going to ask Texas families to sacrifice in these tough economic times, I think it’s the responsibility of the Legislature to consider all reasonable options to help generate revenue,” Ellis said.
Remember, the gambling industry never sleeps. Doesn’t matter that neither candidate for Governor is much of a fan, they’re out there working it. You have to respect that. Again, not to rehash old debates, the main point is that even if all their dreams come true in 2011, it still won’t help with the current situation. I agree with Sen. Ellis that we need to consider all reasonable options for generating revenue, I just don’t think this one should be in the top half of the priority list.
A quick search of campaign finance reports on the Texas Ethics Commission website, shows that gambling interests are interested in Rick Perry (LaMantia contributions to his campaign) whether Perry claims to have much of a fan of gambling or not. I did not see any money from that family to Bill White. Doesn’t mean gambling interests have not contributed to him – or won’t in the future – just pointing out the folks who are behind a pro-gambling PAC (Texans For Economic Development).