Texas Republican Leaders Don’t Want to Gamble with Texas Budget, says Governor Perry

by David Bellow on March 22, 2011 at 11:14 AM

There is currently a push in the Texas Legislature to expand and legalize Gambling in Texas, such as casino gambling. The legislation to legalize gambling is being driven by nearly a million dollars that the gambling industry has given to Members of the Texas Legislature in this last election cycle.

H.J.R. No. 112 is a joint resolution that has been introduced in the Texas Legislature proposing a constitutional amendment that would legalize casino gambling in Texas.

So does Casino Gambling have a chance to be legalized in Texas?

Considering that Republicans have a Super-Majority control of the Texas House of Representatives, let’s take a look at what the Republican leaders in Texas have to say about gambling on the future.

Republican Party of Texas Platform

The RPT platform language on gambling: "We continue to oppose gambling as a means of financing state government. Government–sponsored gambling has had a devastating impact on many Texas families. Moreover, we oppose any further legalization, government facilitation, or financial guarantees relating to any type of gambling including casino, riverboat, video lottery terminals (VLTs), slot machine, video keno, eight-liners, multi-state lotteries, and other games of chance including on Indian reservations. We support the repeal of the state lottery, and enforcement of existing laws and regulations related to gambling. We oppose dedicating any government revenue from gambling to create or expand any governmental program."

Republican Party of Texas Gambling Survey

Furthermore, the Republican Party of Texas did an informal survey of Republican county chairmen and State Republican Executive Committee members, to poll grassroots leaders on their views of expanded casino gambling in Texas. The survey had excellent participation from our leadership. I participated in the survey, and I was emailed the following results of the survey after it was completed:

Do you believe that Texas should legalize casino gambling?
71.2% NO - 28.2% YES

Do you support using revenues from expanded casino gambling to address the budget shortfall?
72.0% NO - 28.0% YES

Would you be in favor of, or opposed to, having a casino built within your region (30 miles of your home)?
72.0% NO - 28.0% YES

Governor Rick Perry Says NO to Expanding Texas Gambling

I was on a conference call with Gov. Perry (sponsored by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility).

I asked Governor Perry if he supports the current push for gambling in Texas. He said that he is and always has been against expanding gambling in Texas. He says that he believes most of the Texas Legislators are also AGAINST expanding gambling in Texas too. He said if gambling was the way to solve state financial problems then Nevada would be doing great, but Nevada has serious financial problems.

Conclusion:

There will be no expanded gambling in Texas anytime soon.

But you won’t see me crying about it because I am one of the nearly ¾ of the Republican Party against expanding Gambling in Texas.

For more information about proposed gambling in Texas, including what other leaders have to say about the idea, and also a list of gambling industry campaign contributions – click here.

Tags: 
Rick Perry
Texas Legislature
gambling Texas
Texas Budget

Comments

Submitted by Jim on March 22, 2011 at 1:13 PM

What are you people afraid of?  Let the PEOPLE VOTE on gambling.

It is called democracy and it has worked in the Unided States for over 200 years.

These few "self imposed do gooders" are dictating what WE TEXANS want.  WE WANT TO VOTE on gambling PERIOD!

Submitted by Don Cramer on March 22, 2011 at 1:57 PM
To me, this is an issue of personal responsibility. There are always going to be people who gamble, they travel out of state every week to do so. Given that, I think it's perfectly appropriate to allow gambling here, but I want it restricted to areas where it's happening now, like the tracks. I don't want a casino on the Riverwalk, for example, or in downtown Dallas.

I'm a lifelong CONSERVATIVE and hate the argument that 'it destroys peoples lives'. That's what a liberal would say. People should be FREE to make their own choices.

Submitted by Anonymous on March 22, 2011 at 6:55 PM
promises promises promises..... but no return on the investment.... just more crime and more families and lives runined and money sucked out of homes.

Rob Kohler for the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission said bringing casino gambling to Texas would enable people to gamble who do not have the means to go elsewhere. He also said pari-mutuel wagering came with promises of revenue that did not pan out, and instituting the lottery did not "solve all our problems."

Suzii Paynter of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission said the costs of more gambling, such as from litigation and social problems, would outstrip gains. Paynter asked the lawmakers to consider whether they would solve their personal financial problems with gambling; if not, they should not do so for their constituents.

"We have an opportunity to make a decision as if this state were a family," she said.

Submitted by Anonymous on March 22, 2011 at 7:24 PM
you are right. The people should decide. They DID when they voted on a gambling prohibition as part of the Texas Constitution. That is putting it in the hands of the people.

Submitted by Davis on March 23, 2011 at 9:12 AM
Where did you get the idea that with gambling comes more crime? Did you just pull that out of a hat because it sounds good? Here's a fact: the mid-sized city of Lawton, OK (which has casinos) has a lower crime rate than the mid-sized city of Waco, TX (obviously no casinos there)...
Furthermore, Texans should be able to vote on this issue and decide for themselves. You telling someone that they shouldn't be able to gamble in Texas because it could "ruin their lives and their family" is NOT the conservative thing to do. 

Submitted by Davis on March 24, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Oh, so by that logic, then the people of Texas also decided that women and blacks can't vote, and that it's ok to have slaves. Don't reach back to when the Texas Constitution was drafted - that is just ignorant.

Submitted by James Latham on March 30, 2011 at 11:43 PM
I agree with Jim. Put it on the ballot and let the citizens vote on it. I contacted my local legislators a couple of years ago and voiced my opinion that Tx was losing millions of dollars every year by not having casinos. Their reply was "I" do not think it would be good. I don't think we elect the legislators to do what they want or what they think is best for us, but do what the tax paying citizens that vote them into office want.
 That is a chance to vote on it. Texas has lost billions of dollars to Ok and La over the past years and there is no way to ever get it back.

Submitted by James on April 5, 2011 at 2:34 PM
What a joke the GOP has become. We are suppose to be the party that stands up for our rights yet we are dictating what THE PEOPLE are allowed to vote on.

Good job Robert Duncan - (R) Lubbock. You just lost my vote... Along with many other GOPers that are showing their true colors.

Submitted by James on April 5, 2011 at 2:36 PM
Mr. Bellow,

What gives you the right to stop Texans from voting on this?

A vast majority of Texans want to vote on this and you all think you speak for the majority? Then let us vote!

Sign,

A PISSED of Republican.

Submitted by Anonymous on April 10, 2011 at 4:31 PM
Republican politicians are going to pander to the Christian right all day long on this issue.  They are a huge part of their constituency.  This is as certain as which direction the sun will come up tomorrow.  Pragmatism, I'm afraid, will not prevail here.  If pragmatism doesn't prevail this go round, then the gambling lobby needs to pack their bags, head to greener pastures, & never return to Austin, Texas ever again.

Governments have absolutely no right to protect people from themselves, but we see this kind of claptrap all the time.  Casino types are going to get their fix one way or another.  New Mexico, Oklahoma, & Louisiana are a stones throw away for most Texans. 

I've looked at several polls over the last couple of months, & Texans want casino gambling.  Not one poll is even close.  Politicians need to step aside on this one & leave it up to us.  Stop pandering & let's get 'er done.

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