The 81st Texas Legislature is once again looking at the possibility of legalizing casino style gambling at existing horse and greyhound race tracks. Numerous bills also proposed legislation or a constitutional amendment allowing large new resort casinos to be built throughout the state. During previous years broadening gambling has faced an uphill battle but supporters may get lucky this year.
The House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee on April 8, 2009 met to discuss compromises to the numerous pieces of gambling legislation filed. The bill leading the way is HB 1724, authored by Rep. Jose Menedez, D-San Antonio.
If HB 1724 is able to pass the Legislature, it is not certain that it would make it past the governor’s desk. Gov. Rick Perry during previous attempts threatened to veto any legislation expanding gambling. Perry has publicly expressed doubt the Legislature will pass a gambling bill, but has not confirmed he would veto the bill if it passed.
Menedez's bill would need a two-thirds majority to pass the Legislature. A simple majority of the public would be necessary to pass a constitutional amendment to decide whether to legalize gambling.
A survey conducted by Baselice & Associates in February 2009 showed 63 percent of respondents supported allowing slot machines in existing horse and race tracks, or “racinos,” and another poll by Wilson Research Strategies showed 63 percent supported a limited number of resort style casinos.
Both surveys were conducted by competing supporters of legalized gambling. Texans for Economic Development supports racinos and paid for the Baselice & Associates survey. The Texas Gaming Association paid for the Wilson Research Strategies survey to show Texans’ supported casino building. Both surveys showed a majority of Texans want a constitutional amendment to decide the issue.
Menedez's bill proposed abolishing the Texas Racing Commission and transferring all horse and greyhound race track authority to the Texas Gaming Commission. The commission would spell out all licensee requirements and have oversight over all constructed casinos. Nine casino licenses are suggested to be initially awarded, and later, with no specific time frame given, six additional casino owner's licenses would be issued.
Each of the three federally recognized Indian tribes in Texas would get one of those casino licenses. The other three licenses would go to areas where a casino would have a large positive economic impact.
However, once gambling is legal there is not guarantee there will be any money to collect. Horse and greyhound race tracks are regulated by the Texas Racing Commission and in February 2009 the commission asked for an emergency grant of $250,000 to continue operating for the rest of the fiscal year ending Aug. 31. Overall, the commission is in debt by nearly $678,000.
For several years, the horse and greyhound race tracks have seen their revenue diminish each year. The commission cited hurricanes in recent years and Texans going to other states to gamble as some of the reasons for the shortfall. Hurricane Ike damaged many racing tracks located along the Gulf Coast and an estimated $2 billion is spent in tourism in New Mexico and Louisiana by Texan gamblers.
Texas' race tracks are not the only ones losing money. Las Vegas saw 4 percent less profit this year, the first time since Sept. 11, 2001 when it dropped by 1 percent. Florida's gambling industry has lost millions of dollars in revenue for several years.
Menedez's bill requested a 15 percent tax on the profit of casinos and a 35 percent tax on race tracks profits. Only a fraction the tax collected is designated to higher education since the Legislative Budget Board has divided each tax into five separate funds, some to pay for administrative costs and compensate counties and municipalities with casinos.
I find it amusing that one of the new funds proposed is called Problem Gambling and Addiction Grant. At least they are looking ahead at the negative effects passing this legislature will cause. Another great thinking is dedicating $200,000 every two years to the Department of Public Safety to investigate and prosecute crime related to illegally possessing gambling devices.
This session's slow Legislature has the bill still in the The House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee. Opponents of legalized gambling are fighting back hard against a strong lobbying campaign by supporters such as casino developers.
I hope the economy is not used by legislators as the excuse for passing legalized gambling. If the gambling tax collects a lot of money, it would be by creating chronic gamblers throughout the state. Mostly affecting lower income individuals and creating a more degenerate and dangerous society.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Analyze a Classmate's Post
I like the title of Stefanie's post "Will one size fit all tuition work?" I struggle with titles most of the time. The introduction flows well and keeps the reader's attention.
It is topical to my interests since I have not had a chance to keep up with the higher education bills at the Legislature. I suggest adding links to mentioned articles, I was interested in reading the same article referenced throughout the post, but there was no link.
I liked the use of a graphic, it is always helpful. To make it more reader friendly, I suggest breaking up the paragraphs into smaller ones.
I cannot think of anything lacking from the content provided in the post. A lot of statistics can get tricky but Stefanie did a great job using them. The information was laid out in cohesive order.
I think she should have included more of her own opinion at the end . I was interested in knowing more about what she thought about the issue. Like, which method proposed by the Legislature she preferred or if she had her own idea of what may work better?
When it comes to reforming higher education cost, I personally think the conversation should be about lowering the cost of tuition instead of freezing it, or letting it go up at a slower rate. There should be more state and federal investment for all levels of education.
I found Stefanie's post informative and enjoyed it very much.
It is topical to my interests since I have not had a chance to keep up with the higher education bills at the Legislature. I suggest adding links to mentioned articles, I was interested in reading the same article referenced throughout the post, but there was no link.
I liked the use of a graphic, it is always helpful. To make it more reader friendly, I suggest breaking up the paragraphs into smaller ones.
I cannot think of anything lacking from the content provided in the post. A lot of statistics can get tricky but Stefanie did a great job using them. The information was laid out in cohesive order.
I think she should have included more of her own opinion at the end . I was interested in knowing more about what she thought about the issue. Like, which method proposed by the Legislature she preferred or if she had her own idea of what may work better?
When it comes to reforming higher education cost, I personally think the conversation should be about lowering the cost of tuition instead of freezing it, or letting it go up at a slower rate. There should be more state and federal investment for all levels of education.
I found Stefanie's post informative and enjoyed it very much.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Are Sobriety Checkpoints the Only Way?
Texas is one of 11 remaining states without statewide checkpoints. Proponents of sobriety checkpoints say they are beneficial as a deterrent, but at the same time they also allow police officials to look for other infractions or violations. This year, there is a real possibility the State Legislature will pass a law instituting sobriety checkpoints.
The proposed Legislature bill, like bills passed in other states, give officers the ability, under suspicion, to arrest and give citations for other reason besides driving while intoxicated. The bill prohibits officers from asking for a driver’s license or insurance card.
Sen. John Carona, the bill’s sponsor, uses statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2007 report to say that about 300 could be saved by implementing checkpoints. That same agency has released its 2008 report stating that nationwide alcohol-related fatalities have declined by 9.1% and the Texas region has declined 1% from 2007.
Other regions where states do not allow checkpoints have much higher declines than Texas. The Alaska, Oregon, and Washington region declined by 11%, Rhode Island region by 14%, Wisconsin region by 11%, and Wyoming region by 8%.
Less than 1% of drivers (example: here and here) are arrested for alcohol-related reasons. Most of the people arrested at checkpoints are for other infractions or drug-related reasons. Sobriety checkpoints have been abused by many cities and counties such as drug sniffing dogs circling a vehicle to check for drugs. These types of excess have been shot down by state courts.
This leads me to believe that those same 300 lives can be saved by other means, like a statewide DWI campaign announcing even stronger penalties, and television and radio ads to discourage drinking and driving. Education and a sense of duty can be much more constructive than checkpoints, which according to the bill have to be widely publicized in advance.
The proposed Legislature bill, like bills passed in other states, give officers the ability, under suspicion, to arrest and give citations for other reason besides driving while intoxicated. The bill prohibits officers from asking for a driver’s license or insurance card.
Sen. John Carona, the bill’s sponsor, uses statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2007 report to say that about 300 could be saved by implementing checkpoints. That same agency has released its 2008 report stating that nationwide alcohol-related fatalities have declined by 9.1% and the Texas region has declined 1% from 2007.
Other regions where states do not allow checkpoints have much higher declines than Texas. The Alaska, Oregon, and Washington region declined by 11%, Rhode Island region by 14%, Wisconsin region by 11%, and Wyoming region by 8%.
Less than 1% of drivers (example: here and here) are arrested for alcohol-related reasons. Most of the people arrested at checkpoints are for other infractions or drug-related reasons. Sobriety checkpoints have been abused by many cities and counties such as drug sniffing dogs circling a vehicle to check for drugs. These types of excess have been shot down by state courts.
This leads me to believe that those same 300 lives can be saved by other means, like a statewide DWI campaign announcing even stronger penalties, and television and radio ads to discourage drinking and driving. Education and a sense of duty can be much more constructive than checkpoints, which according to the bill have to be widely publicized in advance.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Non-Ideas
In the North Texas Conservative Shawn M. Griffiths blogs There is Nothing Like A Good Old Fashion Tea Party. The Texas Tea Party is the name of a movement for supporters of a third party called the Texas Constitution Party. I mislead when I say he blogs about it because except for the first paragraph he does not mention it again. After that, it is a rant against President Obama’s policies and how “we all know how Barack Obama feels about the Constitution.” That broad assumption was not followed by anything concrete except for more general and bland accusations against Obama.
The second paragraph begins with a reference to efforts by state legislatures like Texas, which are considering a resolution to remind Obama the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land. There are no links to provide verification and no further explanation is given to educate the reader on what exactly does that mean. I can only assume it may be the rejection of some of the stimulus money. The rest of the paragraph is a tirade about states’ rights and Obama’s unprecedented grab and abuse of power. Griffiths wrote Obama wants to be the next Lincoln and takes the leap of calling Lincoln a “tyrant.” No further details are given to support this belief.
According to Griffiths people who are supportive of President Obama are not “true patriots” and simply have fallen for his “messiah” message. Griffiths makes numerous mentions throughout the blog about Obama’s disregard and abuse of the Constitution but does not give actual facts or examples to support his ideas. The entire post was nothing more then a list of Republican talking points, which would not be so bad if they were at least cohesive thoughts. Griffiths can learn a lot about writing from his fellow conservative David Jennings of the Lone Star Times.
I am on the fence about Gov. Perry’s decision to reject a portion of the stimulus money given for unemployment benefits. After reading Jennings’ post I am leaning a little bit toward his point of view that it may not be a good idea at the end. I also think that the law could be changed back after the stimulus money is exhausted, but I do not know how difficult that would be. My overall my conclusion on Griffiths’ post is that I did not learn anything.
The second paragraph begins with a reference to efforts by state legislatures like Texas, which are considering a resolution to remind Obama the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land. There are no links to provide verification and no further explanation is given to educate the reader on what exactly does that mean. I can only assume it may be the rejection of some of the stimulus money. The rest of the paragraph is a tirade about states’ rights and Obama’s unprecedented grab and abuse of power. Griffiths wrote Obama wants to be the next Lincoln and takes the leap of calling Lincoln a “tyrant.” No further details are given to support this belief.
According to Griffiths people who are supportive of President Obama are not “true patriots” and simply have fallen for his “messiah” message. Griffiths makes numerous mentions throughout the blog about Obama’s disregard and abuse of the Constitution but does not give actual facts or examples to support his ideas. The entire post was nothing more then a list of Republican talking points, which would not be so bad if they were at least cohesive thoughts. Griffiths can learn a lot about writing from his fellow conservative David Jennings of the Lone Star Times.
I am on the fence about Gov. Perry’s decision to reject a portion of the stimulus money given for unemployment benefits. After reading Jennings’ post I am leaning a little bit toward his point of view that it may not be a good idea at the end. I also think that the law could be changed back after the stimulus money is exhausted, but I do not know how difficult that would be. My overall my conclusion on Griffiths’ post is that I did not learn anything.
Monday, February 23, 2009
More Rotten State Insitutions
The Houston Chronicle’s Editorial staff has brought home the incredibly sad condition of the state schools that take care of the mentally disabled. There is not much to criticize in the opinion given and it is quite informative about a topic that is way too under the radar.
The editorial reads a lot like a news article by presenting its case with facts and quotes from legislators rather than unsubstantiated personal opinion; with only the last paragraph as a plea for quick comprehensive action.
A good job is done of giving a lot of background information including giving details from a Department of Justice report for 2007. The statistics are alarming, “450 confirmed cases of abuse and neglect, and at least 53 deaths.” It is more shocking that these statistics are not abnormal for a particular year, but more of an ongoing problem that has been persisting for a while.
The editorial mentions how Gov. Perry has asked the legislature to act to improve the conditions and that state Sen. Jane Nelson and state Rep. Patrick Rose have introduced legislation during this session. Nelson’s bill focuses on stricter oversight for current and prospective employees and more surveillance to monitor abuse.
The battle seems to be in how to make the improvement. $125,000 per resident is ridiculously expensive especially for the dismal service rendered. State Sen. Rodney Ellis appears to support creating independent living conditions within the community along side home care assistance. At the same time minimize the role of the state schools to bring down the cost.
The editorial does not judge which way may bring better results but says that transferring the recipients to monitored community services can only be more beneficial than the current insufferable situation of doing nothing.
The editorial reads a lot like a news article by presenting its case with facts and quotes from legislators rather than unsubstantiated personal opinion; with only the last paragraph as a plea for quick comprehensive action.
A good job is done of giving a lot of background information including giving details from a Department of Justice report for 2007. The statistics are alarming, “450 confirmed cases of abuse and neglect, and at least 53 deaths.” It is more shocking that these statistics are not abnormal for a particular year, but more of an ongoing problem that has been persisting for a while.
The editorial mentions how Gov. Perry has asked the legislature to act to improve the conditions and that state Sen. Jane Nelson and state Rep. Patrick Rose have introduced legislation during this session. Nelson’s bill focuses on stricter oversight for current and prospective employees and more surveillance to monitor abuse.
The battle seems to be in how to make the improvement. $125,000 per resident is ridiculously expensive especially for the dismal service rendered. State Sen. Rodney Ellis appears to support creating independent living conditions within the community along side home care assistance. At the same time minimize the role of the state schools to bring down the cost.
The editorial does not judge which way may bring better results but says that transferring the recipients to monitored community services can only be more beneficial than the current insufferable situation of doing nothing.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Texas Chief Justice Wants Reform
Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court Wallace Jefferson is the latest chief justice to ask for an end to partisan judicial elections. The article gives details about the chief justice’s “passionate plea for reform.” He also asked for a commission to be created to investigate the systematic problem of wrongful convictions, and how to prevent them from happening in the future.
He gave the statistic that four out of five people think a judge’s decision is influenced when a contributor is before the court. He advocated a merit selection system that allows a governor to appoint judges, but once the first term expires the voters decide whether to keep the judge in a “retention election.” In the election, the judge would not have opposition or give party identification.
In an effort to keep the choice of judges as void of politics as possible, the pool of candidates the governor would choose from would be selected by a diverse nominating committee. I am pleasantly surprised at the chief justice and hope the Legislature does move to find a more impartial way of electing judges. The idea of having a nominating committee to select competent candidates sounds great but the only way that will work is if they do not know the party affiliation of the judges either.
The notion of a judge being from a certain party is a breeding ground for corruption. The chief justice thanked Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, who filed legislation to create nonpartisan retention elections. The bad news is that the legislation faces an uphill battle since the State has not been eager to alter the process.
He gave the statistic that four out of five people think a judge’s decision is influenced when a contributor is before the court. He advocated a merit selection system that allows a governor to appoint judges, but once the first term expires the voters decide whether to keep the judge in a “retention election.” In the election, the judge would not have opposition or give party identification.
In an effort to keep the choice of judges as void of politics as possible, the pool of candidates the governor would choose from would be selected by a diverse nominating committee. I am pleasantly surprised at the chief justice and hope the Legislature does move to find a more impartial way of electing judges. The idea of having a nominating committee to select competent candidates sounds great but the only way that will work is if they do not know the party affiliation of the judges either.
The notion of a judge being from a certain party is a breeding ground for corruption. The chief justice thanked Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, who filed legislation to create nonpartisan retention elections. The bad news is that the legislation faces an uphill battle since the State has not been eager to alter the process.
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