Posted by Let Texans Decide
Mar 13, 2013
Last week, legislation supporting slots at tracks and Indian reservations was filed in the House and Senate. SJR 36/SB 789 was filed by Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-20) and Rep. Richard Peña Raymond (D-42) filed HJR 121/HB 2729. Both bills will allow Texans a chance to vote on a constitutional amendment that would allow Texans to play slot machines at 13 existing licensed racetracks and three federally recognized Indian reservations in Texas.
Revenues generated by slots at tracks will create thousands of jobs and millions in revenues at horse and dog tracks across the state. The Texas horse industry once contributed $5.5 billion to Texas’ economy each year and supported 36,000 jobs, but these figures are rapidly declining. Today, Texans are going to Oklahoma and New Mexico where purses are higher. This proposed legislation would revitalize the racing industry and bring breeders, jockeys, and horsemen back to Texas.
A 2013 survey shows that 82 percent of Texans want the right to vote on expanded gaming and 64 percent of those polled favor the proposal outlined in SJR 36/SB 789 and HJR 121/HB 2729. Texans already gamble. 90 percent of customers at casinos along the Texas-Oklahoma border are Texans. It’s time to keep the $2.5 billion Texans spend in neighboring states on gaming, in Texas.
If you support this legislation, let your legislator know today! You can send a letter through our website or find your legislator’s contact information here. It’s time to let Texans decide once and for all on expanded gaming.
