April 7, 2003
Perry & Strayhorn open gate to video gambling
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___AUSTIN--One week after re-emphasizing his opposition to expanding gambling in Texas, Gov. Rick Perry seemed to signal to gambling promoters how they might advance their cause and escape his veto.
___Perry suggested he probably would not veto a sunset bill reauthorizing the Texas Lottery Commission, even if the bill included an amendment to legalize video lottery terminals.
___Three days later, in what may be a tandem move, state Comptroller Carol Keeton Strayhorn proposed instituting video lottery at Texas racetracks, a step she said would raise $712 million in the next two years and billions in years to come.
___"I've made it abundantly clear I'm not for the expansion of gambling in the state of Texas," Perry said when questioned during an appearance before the Lottery Commission March 31. "But vetoing a bill that will not allow the Lottery Commission to continue its work is another thing altogether."
___Proposals to legalize lottery terminals have been supported by a coalition of horse- and dog-track operators, who claim the machines could produce up to $1 billion in revenue for the state. Lawmakers also are looking at other proposals that would expand gambling, including allowing Texas to join a multi-state lottery, such as the Powerball.
___Perry ran on a platform last year that included a pledge to oppose gambling expansion. He reiterated that promise less than a week before his appearance at the Lottery Commission.
___Phil Strickland, director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, expressed disappointment at Perry's apparent reversal.
___ "The governor has a history of opposition to the expansion of gambling in Texas," Strickland said. "I continue to hope that commitment will prevail over any attempts to corrupt the lottery sunset bill with new forms of legalized gambling."
___But Strayhorn's April 3 announcement apparently illustrated the Perry administration already is counting on video lottery, even before the governor receives a bill legalizing it.
___Her funding proposal would allow video lottery machines within racetracks, where gambling already is legal.
___Funds generated by video lottery would be earmarked for three items, Strayhorn said.
___They would "reduce the limit for maximum increase in local property taxes from 10 percent to 5 percent, and increase the state's share of public-education funding," she said.
___The funds also would create Texas Next Step, a program to provide two years of public community or technical college for every state high school graduate.
___And they would support "increased education spending," primarily teacher salary and health insurance.
___Texas Baptists and other concerned citizens should contact state representatives, state senators and Gov. Perry to express their concern about any "backdoor" attempt to expand gambling in Texas, Strickland urged.
___ "I would encourage our people to call their elected officials in Austin, urging them to vote against any attempt to attach to the lottery legislation amendments that would allow expansion of gambling in our state," Strickland said.
___The turn of events also drew a sharp comment from Suzii Paynter, who monitors legislative issues for the Texas CLC.
___"If the Texas Lottery Commission is authorized to put video lottery terminals into racetracks, it will result in the creation of mini-casinos across the state with a little pari-mutuel betting on the side," she said. "Legalizing video lottery terminals is not only an expansion of gambling but is an expansion of the most pernicious and addictive form of gambling.
___"This proposal makes the state a partner in creating addiction," she continued. "The $712 million projection is an inflated figure that does not take into account the cost of addiction, bankruptcy, crime, lost revenue to the consumer economy and loss of sales-tax revenue."
___Editor Marv Knox contributed to this story
The Baptist Standard
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