Indian casino options reviewed

Friday, Dec. 19, 2003 | 9:32 a.m.

SAN ANTONIO -- Gov. Rick Perry's chief of staff has privately reviewed gambling options with Indian leaders in what a governor's official said was a meeting to explore ways to help fund Texas public schools.

A Perry spokeswoman said representatives of the Kickapoo, Alabama-Coushatta and Tigua tribes attended the gathering in Austin last week that was organized by Mike Toomey, but no commitments were made.

Limited "Indian gaming can and should be a part of the solution to the Texas public school finance crisis," Kevin Battise, vice chairman of the Alabama-Coushatta tribe, told the San Antonio Express-News in Friday's editions.

Battise said a "fair share" of gaming revenue would go to Texas public schools.

The governor has said he would call a spring special session if a consensus plan emerges on the way Texas funds public schools and other educational reforms. State legislators who faced a $9.9 billion shortfall had balanced the budget through cuts, consolidations and added fees.

Perry spokeswoman Kathy Walt said gubernatorial aides are reviewing various revenue-generating options in case Perry calls a spring special session to address the funding of public schools and other educational reforms.

"All the ideas are on the table, and they're all being discussed," said Walt.

But Suzii Paynter, director of public policy for the Christian Life Commission, said she was "very disappointed" to hear of the meeting on gambling options.