Jul
27
Gambling
On June 30, 2010, the Legislative Study Group (LSG) of the Texas House held a hearing to begin the discussion of the benefits and consequences of expanding gambling in the next legislative session. Representative Garnet Coleman chairs the LSG and at the outset reminded all those in attendance that the informal group of legislator’s goal is to consider policies from the perspective of the average, tax-paying Texas family.
Numerous representatives of the gambling industry were invited to testify and share with members what their particular form of gambling can bring to the state. Both Suzii Paynter and consultant Rob Kohler testified on behalf of the CLC. Mr. Kohler’s testimony highlighted the inefficiency of generating tax revenue from casinos by noting that, to produce a little over $1 billion from a casino, the public would have to wager nearly $52 billion dollars. Mrs. Paynter underlined the history of broken promises made in previous gambling proposals, especially from pari-mutual wagering, and pointed out that the entire state of Nevada only generates around $1 billion dollars in tax revenue. At the end of her testimony she asked the representatives: “If you don’t gamble, and wouldn’t use gambling to solve your own problems, why would you use it to solve the state’s problems?”
The legislators in attendance asked tough questions of the gambling industry representatives and, we believe, moved the debate in a positive direction by calling into question the outlandish promises of revenue. Many members seemed to be concerned with where and who the revenue would come from and the negative consequences that would come with increased gambling addiction in Texas.
On July 8, the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee of the House held a very similar meeting that once again featured many members of the gambling industry. The meeting appeared to be little more than a forum at which proponents of casinos in Texas could again air their lofty promises. A member of the state comptroller’s office had the only new information presented. The basic facts he recited regarding the scope of gambling across the country and the revenue generation in other states added a dose of reality to the otherwise rosy projections.
Lone Star Stewards
People of faith securing renewable energy leadership for Texas
At present, Texas leads the nation in wind energy production, but in order to further energy independence, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create sustainable energy options, and drive a new clean energy economy, we must continue to diversify our energy sources. By doing so, Texans stand to gain thousands of jobs while simultaneously improving our environment.
In response to the need to support these economic opportunities for Texas, The Texas Clean Energy Coalition has launched an effort to identify and recruit new voices advocate for clean energy, energy efficiency and the economic development for Texas communities. The Coalition will focus on competitiveness, economic development, job growth, energy efficiency and Texas’ energy leadership for the long term.
The Christian Life Commission and Texas Impact and are partnering together to encourage people of faith to join the effort. This new group of voices will be called the Lone Star Stewards. Forums will be held throughout the state in order to engage pastors, rabbis, imams and lay leadership in order to educate and motivate them into leadership in their local communities. Each forum will feature experts in both renewable energy and economic development as well as representatives of the local region and religious leaders. The dates and locations of the meetings are as follows:
- August 30, 2010 | Central Texas Regional Forum | McKinney Roughs, Bastrop, TX | 11:00am-4:30pm
- September 27, 2010 | North Texas Regional Forum | Brite Divinity School of TCU, Ft. Worth, TX | 2:00pm – 5:00pm
- October 25-26, 2010 | West Texas Regional Forum | Indian Lodge, Ft. Davis Mountains, TX | 6:00 pm October 25-breakfast October 27
Through education and advocacy, we can help make sure Texas remains a leader in energy in the 21st century. There is no registration fee to attend. For more information contact Charlotte Bumbulis or Julie Valentine or call 512-473-2288.
Texas Food Policy Roundtable
The Texas Food Policy Roundtable met on July 20, 2010 for our 3rd quarterly meeting.
The meeting was devoted to discussing and voting on legislative priorities for the upcoming 2011 legislative session. Many of the Roundtable’s participating organizations were in attendance and shared their top policy ideas to address the problems of hunger, obesity, and access to nutritious food in Texas. Representatives of state agencies and elected officials were also invited to this meeting. The top policy priorities for the Roundtable will be determined by a democratic process and will be announced shortly. Our next quarterly meeting will be October 19, 2010. For more information on how you or your organization can be involved please contact Anne Olson and visit the Roundtable website.
:: Food Policy Affects All of Texas (pdf)
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