If the state needs money to balance its budget, it should look first to sin taxes on gambling, alcohol and marijuana.
gambling
Posted in
State Government
The Brief: July 9, 2010
Gov. Rick Perry and Bill White, together at last, faced a tough crowd Thursday.
Posted in
Economy
TribBlog: Another Roll of the Dice
It was more like a bidding auction today than a meeting of the Texas House Committee on Licensing and Regulation. Gambling advocates packed into three Capitol hearing rooms, and threw out number after number as they asked legislators — yet again — to consider the benefits of more gaming in Texas.
Posted in
State Government
Ante Up
The starting gun for the debate over gambling fires this morning: Gaming interests inside and outside Texas are asking lawmakers to expand legal wagering to include either resort casinos, slot machines at race tracks, or some combination.
Posted inState Government
The Ditch: Do It Yourself
On Friday, state agencies were told to cut another 10 percent from their budgets as a way of closing what could be an $18 billion biennial shortfall. But those cuts will only scratch the surface of what’s needed, so what to do next?
Posted in
Economy
TribBlog: Texans Back Casino Gambling, Oppose Taxes
A new Rasmussen Reports poll finds that 57 percent of Texans favor legalizing casino gambling as a means to draw down the coming budget shortfall, but only 21 percent support higher taxes.
Posted in
Economy
TribBlog: Gambling 101
Coming soon to a large pink state capitol building in this very state: A day-long seminar on slot machines and casinos and all that, especially as it pertains to the state budget.
Posted inState Government
Rodney Ellis on Bringing Gaming Back
Could casino gaming be coming to Texas? State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, who’s tried and failed to pass gambling legislation in recent sessions, thinks the coming budget crisis gives him and other supporters an opportunity.
Posted in
Economy
TribBlog: Dewhurst Predicts No Tax Hikes or Gaming
The state won’t need new taxes or expanded legal gambling to cover a budget shortfall next session, but higher fees and more budget cuts are a possibility, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said at this morning’s TribLive interview in Austin.
Posted in
Economy
TribBlog: An Off-Track Bet
The Speaker doesn’t have anyone studying gambling in advance of the next legislative session, and a leading Democrat says legislators ought to get together on their own to consider the issue.
