Texas Tidbits: State asks for input on ‘Instant racing’

Texans have until July 27 to express their views about a proposal to allow slot-machine-style instant racing—also called “historic racing”—terminals at horse and dog racetracks. The Texas Racing Commission is accepting public response to a rulemaking change that would allow racetracks to operate and accept wagers on video terminals that display information—and a brief video clip—from previously run races stripped of identifying markers. Letters can be mailed to the Texas Racing Commission, P.O. Box 12080, Austin 78711-2080. Officials with the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission and Stop Predatory Gambling-Texas have questioned whether the Texas Racing Commission has legal authority to expand gambling without seeking approval by voters or the Texas Legislature.

Baylor makes executive staff appointments. Baylor University President and Chancellor Ken Starr appointed Tommye Lou Davis his chief of staff and Juan Alejandro Jr. interim vice president of governance and risk and chief compliance officer. Davis will retain her responsibilities as vice president for constituent engagement. She will manage the day-to-day operations of the president’s office and oversee other areas that report to the office, such as governmental relations and Baylor event services. Alejandro will manage and coordinate board and university policies and procedures, ensure processes are in place to evaluate business and regularity risks, and, as compliance officer, ensure Baylor has the necessary policies and processes in place to comply with the many policies, procedures, laws and regulations to which the university is subject as an institution, including Title IX.