For 2306 - 1/24/16

Some odds and ends for state and local government

Though the Texas Legislature is not meeting right now, standing committees are. Here is a report of one meeting about "sanctuary cities" one of the items that might appear on the agenda of the 85th session nest year. Click here for the story.

The El Paso Times editorializes on the need to address the unique issues of urban schools - especially those with a high number of poor students. An interest group called the Urban Council of Superintendents has reformed in order to push an agenda enhancing the quality of urban schools in the next session of the legislature. Click here for the story.

Two public school advocates criticize Texas' approach to evaluating school quality. The difference between good and bad schools they argue is the degree of poverty the school student's live in. Click here for the story.

The executive director of the Texas Municipal League argues that declined in state support for infrastructure projects - notable transportation projects - places additional burdens on cities. Click here for the story.

The Texas Attorney General has decide that online fantasy sports counts as gambling and is illegal in the state. The industry argues that it is a game of skill, and says its not going anywhere. A variety of issue regarding gambling are perennially argued before the legislature. Click here for the story.

Some police departments are putting signs on their cars stating "In God We Trust" which may or may not raise establishment clause questions. It'll be interesting to see if a lawsuit comes from it, and if the court decides the plaintiff has standing to sue. Click here for the story.

Democracy and Casinos in Texas

Here's a great example of the limits institutions place on democracy:

From the Chronicle:

While a new statewide poll shows that 86 percent of Texans believe the public should vote on whether to legalize casinos, an influential state Senate chairman with jurisdiction over gambling said Monday he has no intention of advancing the necessary legislation.

"There is no support in my committee," said state Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock. "I just don't think there are the votes in the Senate. I don't see any chance of passage."

Duncan's opposition signals almost insurmountable odds for the expansion of gambling in Texas, despite the industry's hopes that lawmakers would look favorably upon casinos this year as a solution to the state's fiscal crisis.
The story also illustrates the Lieutenant Governor's control over the committee system, and the impact that can have on legislation:

So far, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has referred all gambling resolutions and bills filed in the Texas Senate to the State Affairs Committee, which Duncan chairs.

His spokesman, Mike Walz, said Dewhurst also likely would refer all "stand-alone" gambling bills passed by the House to Duncan's committee. He noted that the issue could be attached to other significant legislation that traditionally is heard by other committees.

Duncan's opposition creates a huge hurdle for an industry that has geared up its lobbying effort to take advantage of a desperate search by state lawmakers for new revenue sources.

By sending gambling bill to Duncan's Committee, which is a hugely important one the the legislature, Dewhurst can kill the bills without putting his fingerprints on the weaponry.

More on Senator Duncan:
- Senate website.
- Texas Tribune.
- Duncan's quotes.

The Senate Committee on State Affairs

- Official website.
-

Conflicting Interests over Gambling in Texas

As my 2301 classes begin to cover interest groups, it might be worth pondering the various interests at issue over proposals to approve casino gambling in the state:

Gambling interests have pressed for casinos in Texas for several legislative sessions, but they’ve always hit road blocks in this conservative state. This year may be no different, in part because Texas legislators aren’t desperate for new money sources.

High-profile lawmakers from both parties are behind the casino effort. What could be their undoing is a back-room fight between race track owners and resort casino backers who can’t agree on how licenses and locations would be decided.

Those who want casinos say Texans are already gambling, but they’re going to out-of-state casinos. Gambling proponents want to keep that cash in Texas and use some of the casino taxes on needs like college scholarships and road building.

“We have loads and loads of buses going across the state lines, airplanes filled with constituents of yours and mine going to Las Vegas,” said Rep. Chente Quintanilla, an El Paso Democrat.
Opponents, including the Baptist Christian Life Commission, argue that casinos suck money out of local economies and don’t produce the economic benefits they promise.

“The casino industry is making big, untenable promises of revenue to the state,” said Suzii Paynter, director of the Christian Life Commission. The commission, which contends casinos profit off of gambling addiction, has maintained a visible presence at the Capitol this spring lobbying against gambling measures.

Casino Gambling

The Houston Press summarizes the current prospects for a bill allowing casino gambling in the state. Notice how its passage is hampered by Governor Perry's need to shore up support among the social conservatives who are opposed to it, and other gaming legislation. He will veto any bill sent to him, which means that it will have to be passed in amendment form, which doesn't need a signature, but requires 2/3rds votes in the leg and a simple majority of the general population.

The HP does not seem hopeful.

Bills in the Texas Leg: Casino Gambling

I'll begin a series of posts on the bills being considered in the Texas Legislature.

Here's a Chron story on proposals for casinos in Texas.

Crisis, Opportunity, and Galveston, Texas

Here's some back and forth on the future of Galveston post - Ike: Texas Sparkle wants gambling, which has been promoted by others in the past, but might have legs now that Galveston is losing revenue from other sources.

The comments include some worries about the impact of casinos and a "sin" economy in general-- mixed at best in other places -- but Galveston has a colorful history that includes gambling among many other things. Comparisons to post Katrina New Orleans abound. Some think Galveston should try to diversify, but I think its past time to admit that Galveston will be a tourist based town from now on. The city should accept and make the best of it.

We'll see whether the legislature -- especially the social conservatives -- is warm to casino gambling idea this spring.

In a related, and very negative note, The Texas Observer wonders whether Galveston city fathers are using the damage caused by Ike to try to kick out Galveston's poorer, meaning African American, population. Little effort has been made to rebuild the public housing damaged by the storm. The same thing has been happening in New Orleans.