Ralliers at Texas Capitol decry gambling expansion

Brandi Grissom

Friday, April 1, 2005 | 9:58 a.m.

AUSTIN -- This time, leading Republicans and Democrats agreed. They joined together at the Texas Capitol on Thursday to proclaim that they don't want more gambling in Texas.

"Empty promises to get rich quick do nothing but bring devastation and addiction," said Tina Benkiser, chairwoman of the Texas Republican Party. "We're being asked to gamble away our children's future in the biggest con game of all times."

Alongside Benkiser in a line of Democrat and Republican state officials was her archrival Charles Soechting, state chairman of the Democratic Party.

The two often squabble publicly, but they joined voices to decry gambling, as hundreds gathered on the steps of the Capitol urged them on, shouting "Amen" and "Right on."

Legislators looking to cut property taxes while giving more money to schools are considering more than 20 gambling proposals, including video slot machines at racetracks and Las Vegas-style casinos.

"If we get gambling, it wasn't a Democrat who gave it to you," said Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, to a crowd chanting "No slots" and toting signs with slogans like "Don't mess with the Texas Constitution."

The gambling issue is becoming one of the most contentious of the legislative session. Conservative Republicans and a group of leading Democrats are working to defeat efforts to expand wagering in Texas. Gambling proponents, however, say the only other options to raise the money Texas needs are increasing taxes or cutting public services.

"The people in District 99 didn't send me down here to bring home a big tax bill," said Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, who has filed a bill that would allow casino attractions in Texas cities. "We can use funding from gambling, a big tax bill or we make some really deep cuts in some social services."

The bipartisan coalition against gambling could hamper efforts to pass legislation allowing voters to choose whether to bring gambling to Texas. Nearly all the gambling measures call for a constitutional amendment, which requires approval from two-thirds of the members of both chambers.

During a special session for education finance last year, a proposal that would have allowed slot machines at racetracks was soundly defeated in the House after a letter campaign spearheaded by Republican Reps. Linda Harper-Brown, of Irving, and Charlie Howard, of Sugar Land.

Howard has drafted a similar letter this session, and he said without circulating the document he has already gathered signatures of more than 20 House members. Working closely with Democrat leaders, he said he is confident they can thwart a constitutional amendment to allow gambling.

Those who argue gambling is the only way to raise more money for schools aren't searching far enough, he said, pointing to the tax on beer and alcohol, which hasn't increased since 1984.

"God has given us more blessings than we deserve," Howard said. "Why should we degrade our population by holding out the fantasy of get rich quick."

Democratic leaders are accusing the Republican leadership of chicanery, saying they created a bad bill that doesn't have the funding to end the Texas public education crisis. Now, Democrats say, those Republicans are secretly pushing gambling without publicly supporting it.

Republican Gov. Rick Perry last year included video slot machines in his education finance restructuring plan. Perry said he has never supported expanding gambling, but rather regulating the activity.

"The idea that we're not going to have any gambling in Texas, I think, is a fairy tale," Perry said. "You've got a substantial amount in this state. There's probably a lot of gambling going on on the golf course right now."

The fury over gambling is premature, said Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick. Education finance bills will likely change significantly and gambling legislation may be unnecessary.

The Senate will take up the issue only if the House first approves it, said Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.

Geren said he'll continue fighting for the 100 House votes to bring casinos in Texas.