Texas Thoroughbred Forum

[jrgators]

Just found a very interesting bill that we need to pay close attention to. It's authored by Alvarado, the number is HJR 28

I tried, but couldn't cut and paste it. Put it reads:

Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the legislature to establish a state gaming commission and to authorize and provide for the regulation of gaming conducted at certain locations in this state, authorizing federally recognized Indian tribes to contduct gaming on certain Indian lands, and requiring the governor to call the legislature into special session to consider gaming legislation.

THIS MAY EXPLAIN WHY IT WAS STATED ABOUT A SPECIAL SESSION HUH!

If you guys read this bill, there is provisions in it for the tracks, and the rest of the state, and every Indian tribe that was part of the deal in 1998. Each county with a population of 675,000 residents.

Sorry, but I'm dead tired, my eyes are crossed, and I have to drive home from work yet!

The world of information is out there, we just have to take the time to find this stuff, and read it.

Theo

[keyranch]

Just a reminder to everyone, Class one gaming in any form in the state will allow Indian gaming to occur and the Gov is required to have a pact with the Indian tribes. If the can not come to an agreement the tribe will negotiate with the feds for gaming licenses.

The concept of the tracks being limited to slots competing with full casinos is like take a BB gun to the Ok Coral. You can look at LA downs and people will not drive past a casino to go to a slots parlor. Think about it. The hook they are using is that the Indian Casinos will stay on Indian land. That did not work in Oklahoma and over time it would not work in Texas. If we are going to go down that path, the tracks need to start out even with the casinos and be able to offer everything they can.

It does not make any sense to me to restrict yourself from the beginning. The Chickasaw tribal lands do not go from Norman, OK to Thackerville, Ok, over to Stroud,OK. They are off the reservation and they are very smart and patient folks, over time they will compete in the market.

[Roger]

Last week or so, I posted a comment on the facebook page about the mushrooms (Joe, Theo, and Bob in particular) having bad statements being made about us and our stance on a Plan B all over the Capital. I was ask who was doing this. I was guilty of relating what I had heard, but not witnessed. Can some of you who know the specifics please post the facts here. I need to know names, if we have them and organizations if we know them and to whom the comments were made.
Thanks

[jellac]

FYI > Re: Legislative Updates. This was excerpted from the "News" page of the Texas Horseman Group's website with a posting date of March 3, 2011 -

Bi-Partisan Legislation Filed to Allow Statewide Vote on Slots at Texas Tracks, Indian Reservations
(Austin, Texas - March 3, 2011) - Texas State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Texas State Representative Beverly Woolley (R-Houston) filed legislation today to allow Texas voters to decide whether to allow slot machines at existing horse and greyhound tracks along with federally recognized Indian reservations.

Both Legislators filed Joint Resolutions (HJR 111, SJR 33) that would trigger statewide constitutional amendment elections as well as the corresponding enabling legislation (HB 2111, SB 1118) detailing the proposal.

“For years Texas has missed out on billions of dollars in gaming and entertainment revenues while neighboring states pocket the winnings," said Senator Hinojosa. "This proposal is the first major revenue generating proposal of this session - it will help keep the money we lose to other states in Texas, and put new revenues on the table without increasing taxes."

Economic studies indicate that the legislation as proposed would bring in about $1 billion a year in tax revenue and create more than 77,000 Texas jobs across a wide variety of sectors. Currently, Texas loses revenue to Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico at a rate of $2.5 billion a year.

"The people of Texas should have the opportunity to decide whether or not to add slot machines to Texas' racetracks and federally recognized Indian reservations," said Representative Woolley. "This legislation gives Texans a voice to decide our economic future."

In a recent poll conducted by Baselice and Associates, Inc., 82 percent of Texas voters favored the right to vote on adding slot machines to racetracks and federally recognized Indian reservations. Sixty-four percent favored the specific proposal. Support was evenly spread across all partisan and demographic subgroups.

For more information, please visit www.winfortexas.com.

The bi-partisan sponsorship is an excellent basis for possibally being able to build concensus on this legislation. That and the fact that both the bill proposing that voters be given the chance to decide and a coorresponding bill containing the enabling legislative language are being co-sponsored at the same time by the same co-sponsors is also encouraging. I also note the relatively 'low number' - all things considered - that has been assigned to the Senate Joint Resolution (SJR #33) to suggest that it may indicate that the lead effort for this legislative initiative may be based in the Senate, although the necessary votes will also be needed from the House of Representatives as well. This still has one heck of an uphill battle to work its way through the Legislature.....budget gap solving proposals as I understand it are at a short term compromise not at a full blown solution, acceptable to the Governor and he has said there will be no Special Session, that the Rainy Day Fund will not be tapped to close the budget gap (now estimated to be in the range of $2-4MM I think I read over the weekend) so he is doing everything in his power to keep the Legislature at work on the Budget and cost cutting/downsizing the government. It's funny though - while I'm a longtime resident of Houston and was once active in Republican politics here I've heard many times of Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, the Democratic Senator from McAllen, and not heard at all of Beverly Woolley a Republican Representative from Houston. I definitely think it's time to introduce myself to Ms. Wooley and her staff as well as Mr. Hinojosa and his staff to make my thoughts/desires on these bills known. Time to start hitting the halls of our Capitol and to communicate with your legislators gentlemen and gentlewomen - we're out of the starting gate it would seem!

[jrgators]

This bill has definately been filed, and with the 2 of them being similar but seperate it gives a good chance IMO. The only thing about 2111 is that it's trying the angle of the Lottery Commission. This is the angle used in Ohio, and it hasn't gotten final approval yet, but as I understand it the lawsuits have been tried, but the slots have survived. The problem in Ohio now is that they have a new Governor who hasn't decided if he wants any part of that hot potato, and subsequently it sits idle.

Jellac is correct that it's an uphill battle. I have called Sen Hinojosa office, and the office of Rep Woolley to see how I can help.

I have also been in contact with Rep Hildebran about the Poker Parlor. I feel very strongly about the poker bill, and think we should support it along with EVERYTHING else that will enhance Tx Racing.

Theo

[jellac]

Some links that might prove helpful -

For HJR111:
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HJR111

For State Representative Woolley:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/?district=136#member-biography

IF you go to the first link and click to see what is under each category of information about his bill you can find the entire, actual filed text as proposed; the fact that an identical 'companion' bill (SJR33) has been filed by Senator Hinojosa and if you click on the tab labeled "Bill Stages" - you'll see that right now both Bills are "Filed", not yet assigned to a Committee and have many many more steps to go through. You can also 'register' to recieve Alerts on these bills via e-mail which will tell you when they are scheduled for 'debate' or 'discussion' within Committee, if/when assigned to Committee for further consideration/action, etc.

FYI > There are similar links for Senator Hinojosa and the SJR33 Bill he filed today as well as for both the 'enabling language' bills both Woolley and Hinojosa filed.

[jellac]

And in the interest of working with both sides of the aisle and both chambers of the Legislature -

For Senator Hinojosa info:
http://www.hinojosa.senate.state.tx.us/

For SJR33 info:
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=SJR33

[Bedouwia]

Great information Jellac. Yes, it is time for all Texas horse folks to get to work and as Theo suggests support every proposal that could help our situation. Good to see things are moving at long last.

Bedouwia

[tinners way]

Ajo, all hat, no horns?

Guess the girls got your fingers.

[jrgators]

Good morning everyone.

I'll try to keep this short, but I have read the Poker Bill, and there are good things, and sad things in it.

1. Poker Parlors will NOT be exclusively at the tracks!!

These facilities will be able to be opened all over the state! As I understand the bill, there is funding for "horse purse accts." I am not sure if it's only for Parlors at the tracks, but I can't find where there is purse funding outside of the tracks parlors. The amount of funding will be small! Can't stress that enough, that there isn't a lot of money from poker tables.

The popularity of the Texas Hold'em will make it very popular, but it won't make it generate a lot of direct dollars. The residual dollars however I believe have the potential of being more significant, and more importantly the events at the tracks if well advertised will lead to large numbers of both participants, and attract more to the tracks in general.

2. If Casino legislation passes poker will be VERY important to the tracks!

As an avid poker player who plays almost daily I can swear to you that if Casinos pass and NOT VLT track only the Poker rooms will be MUCH more important, and here's a short example of why I say that. Living near La, I like to go to play at Isle of Capri in Lake Charles. I'd rather NOT drive the other 20 or so miles past Delta Downs, but they have NO POKER at Delta, so I drive past them. I believe that there will be a lot of people like myself who IF the racetrack is closer than the Casino, and they have the option of finding Poker, they won't go to the casino, they'll go to track. Without the poker rooms, they're not going to stop at the tracks, they are headed to the Casinos.

If Casinos pass, if you read the bill, there will be VLT in the bill if it is allowed to stand as the bill is currently written without poker rooms, the potential is far too risky for a lack of success. The poker rooms will be critical IMO if we only get Casinos.

The bottom line is we must pay attention to every step of this bill, and do all that we can to see this pass. I know that everyone won't be supportive of this bill, but that's OK. The facts are there, just read the bill, oh yeah...warning.....it's so very sleepy reading! The language is lengthy and the reading get's a bit tasking to say the least.

Have a great day. Good racing luck!
Theo

[Roger]

Theo said.

"The bottom line is we must pay attention to every step of this bill, and do all that we can to see this pass. I know that everyone won't be supportive of this bill, but that's OK. The facts are there, just read the bill, oh yeah...warning.....it's so very sleepy reading! The language is lengthy and the reading get's a bit tasking to say the least."

Have a great day. Good racing luck!
Theo[/quote]

I just heard a neat quote that applies to the Texas Racing Industry today.

"The plan is nothing, planning is everything" Ike.

[Ajo]

Tinners Way: The proper term is Big Hat, No Cattle, Mr. Leckinger. How that aphorism applies to me personally or as a representative of Texas horsemen I can not fathom. As for the other remark, I have honorably and respectfully practiced the discipline of Gynecology for over thirty years, and I have never encountered a cruder slur from anyone, educated or otherwise. Whichever “girls” you refer to should feel equally offended, and I believe women who participate on either side of this forum are owed an apology by you.
Richard D. Weilburg MD, FACOG, Arroyo del Ajo Farm, Fredericksburg, Texas, elected Board Member and Vice President, Texas Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association

[tinners way]

Ajo, it was in reference to typing, or lack there of. The silence was deafening after your bold statement, and the lack of response to some pretty simple questions.

Since I had no idea who you were, which I appreciate knowing, I can see how YOU could misinterpret. Never would I have made such a reference if I had known your profession.

Still no proof or answers. Cat got your keyboard- a better reference?

[Roger]

I was reading the TTA weekly up-date and as I understand the process at this time. We need to get 2/3rds of both houses, that is do able, but who are our opponents going to be. I'm guessing the casino guys are going to want some of our action or they will fight. The Christian right will fight some, but not as much as in the past. Are the tribesd with us or the casino bunch?
After the 2/3 rds, the bill will go to the people in Nov. We should win there, but Dave said something to the extent that the rules will be drawn-up after the people vote. I have not read the bills (dial-up). Are we going to wait to decide splits, days, and such after the vote? Is the bill good for the tracks, the horsemen, and the state? I guess I'll have to start down loading the bill tonight when I go to bed and hope it has finished by morning.

[jrgators]

I will answer your questions Roger in a brief way, and I suffered thru all but 1 of the bills today, and that will be my torture test before Church in the AM.

VLT tracks only in the bill.....4.43% to purses Tbreds. 2.85 or 2.35% breeders fund (i am not looking at the bill, but that's pretty close). QH 2.8% or so purses 1.7 or so breeders.

There is a statement that the class 1 tracks must run 50 days, and the class 2 must run 25 days, both are per breed! Now this is great news, but this scares the fire out after the race dates deal from last year. The tracks DO NOT have to run 50 days if they can get permission from the breed and horsemen organizations. I personally don't like this at all! NOT because of the last race dates issue, here is the short answer....let's say 10 years from now the board is more track friendly, and the tracks say they don't want to race, the boards say OK, and that's that!

There is nothing in the bill to address anything like Hurrican Ike as an example for being a reason a track can decide NOT to run. NOthing!! We'll say that our current boards were not in favor of 60 days at LSP, and would NEVER vote to not run races. OK, but what about the next board, or the one after that??

Don't kid yourself with the word NEVER either, some folks said we'd NEVER have a black President! Half, or whole!

The casino guys will fight, I don't know, but I would imagine that they would.

Roger, I've gotta bounce, feel free to give me a call, and I'll try to explain all of this to you if you'd like.

Theo 512-529-3417