April 9, 2001
Legislature asked to aid gambling
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___AUSTIN--A House committee is considering bills that opponents say would legalize video slot machines and provide tax subsidies for pari-mutuel horseracing tracks.
___Weston Ware, consultant with the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, testified last week before the House Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures in opposition to HB 2479 and HB 1923. Both bills remained pending in the committee, chaired by Ron Wilson, D-Houston.
___HB 2479, authored by Debra Danburg, D-Houston, would legalize "eight-liner" video gambling devices that pay off in redemption tickets.
___"I am disappointed to have to come before this committee to testify against legislation that is designed to legalize activity prohibited by the Texas Constitution," Ware testified.
___He pointed out that the so-called "eight-liner" video slot machines had been defined as illegal by officials in the Department of Public Safety Special Crimes Division, by the Texas Attorney General and by the Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling in Texas.
___Ware also testified before the same committee against HB 1923 by Kim Brimer, R-Fort Worth, and before the Senate Business and Commerce Committee in opposition to its companion bill, SB 1096 by David Cain, D-Dallas.
___The so-called "Breeders' Cup Bills" relate to economic incentives to "attract racing events of national significance."
___Ware called the measure "a special-interest subsidy for the horseracing business in Texas." He said Texas lawmakers have been "pounded with the needs of horsemen" for the last 10 years.
___Two other gambling-related bills are making their way through the legislative process, having been approved by committees and sent to the House Calendars Committee:
___HB 514 by Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen, would legalize Indian casino gambling conducted by Texas tribes.
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