Last week the Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee chaired by Representative Edmund Kuempel (R-Seguin) held hearings on the latest batch of gambling bills.
It is well known that Governor Perry will veto any gambling legislation so gambling advocates are moving to work around the Governor by passing a consitutional amendment legalizing casinos and other various forms of gambling.
The House needs 100 votes to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot and Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Alpine) believes that already about 40 Republicans have vowed not to vote for any gambling legislation.
Another strike against successful gambling legislation is the recent story about the Tigua Indian tribe out of El Paso. The Tiguas have been at the forefront of the effort to legalize gambling but are hindered by the spotlight on the criminal record that tribal Governor Frank Paiz carries.
Paizs criminal record dates back to 1987 but since being elected to lead the tribe last year he has also been charged with a variety of offenses including theft drunken driving and assaulting a police officer. He has also repeatedly failed to comply with his probation terms and has spent at least a month in jail.
Gallego believes there are insurmountable obstacles" for the tribe to open up the Speaking Rock Casino and State Rep. Norma Chavez (D-El Paso) said she has informed the Tigua that Paizs past will be a problem for legislators.
A CEO of any gaming corporation with the same exact background as Paiz wouldnt be allowed to sign a contract with the state so its hard to ask my colleagues to do something a CEO cant do" Chavez said.
Legislators have toyed with gambling legislation before always championing the economic benefits and increased income for the state.
Horse and dog tracks promised to be the economic saviors" back in the 1980s but have never measured up to the hype.
Last week the Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee chaired by Representative Edmund Kuempel (R-Seguin) held hearings on the latest batch of gambling bills.
It is well known that Governor Perry will veto any gambling legislation so gambling advocates are moving to work around the Governor by passing a consitutional amendment legalizing casinos and other various forms of gambling.
The House needs 100 votes to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot and Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Alpine) believes that already about 40 Republicans have vowed not to vote for any gambling legislation.
Another strike against successful gambling legislation is the recent story about the Tigua Indian tribe out of El Paso. The Tiguas have been at the forefront of the effort to legalize gambling but are hindered by the spotlight on the criminal record that tribal Governor Frank Paiz carries.
Paizs criminal record dates back to 1987 but since being elected to lead the tribe last year he has also been charged with a variety of offenses including theft drunken driving and assaulting a police officer. He has also repeatedly failed to comply with his probation terms and has spent at least a month in jail.
Gallego believes there are insurmountable obstacles" for the tribe to open up the Speaking Rock Casino and State Rep. Norma Chavez (D-El Paso) said she has informed the Tigua that Paizs past will be a problem for legislators.
A CEO of any gaming corporation with the same exact background as Paiz wouldnt be allowed to sign a contract with the state so its hard to ask my colleagues to do something a CEO cant do" Chavez said.
Legislators have toyed with gambling legislation before always championing the economic benefits and increased income for the state.
Horse and dog tracks promised to be the economic saviors" back in the 1980s but have never measured up to the hype.
