The Texas Thoroughbred Association is pleased to report a video lottery terminal (VLT) bill has been filed in the Texas Legislature. The bill number is HB 3326.
Representative Kino Flores (D-Palmview) also filed two other bills closely related to the VLT issue. HB 3335 contains much of the same language and some other provisions that Representative Flores, chairman of the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee, considered important to the issue. HB 3351 is similar to HB 3335 but it contains casino provisions. He believes it was important to file all of these bills as options for the members of the legislature to consider as this process moves forward.
The casino group had their day in the sun recently. Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) and Senator John Carona (R-Dallas) held a press conference on casino gambling last Thursday. The senators told the media that they were behind an effort to bring gambling to a vote of the people but that it could not be limited to racetracks only! Texans for Economic Development (TED), the racing industry coalition group, has stayed with a message that does not oppose those efforts, but TED has been following the direction from Leadership that expressed strong opposition to casinos and expanding the footprint of gaming.
The Texas Thoroughbred Association is supporting House Bill 3326, which allows VLTs to be installed at currently licensed racetracks.
Now is time to kick the grassroots effort into overdrive. Horsemen need to spread the word about the VLT bill. Tell others in your area and most importantly, stay in contact with your legislators about this!
Texans for Economic Development is also planning a series of training sessions and 'meet and greet' breakfasts with legislative members in Austin. It is vital that we have members and horsemen from around the state attend these meetings and voice their support for the VLT bill. This will be a chance for horsemen to meet in small groups with legislative decision makers in a private setting. Personal meetings such as these are invaluable, and we must take advantage of the opportunity. If you are interested in traveling to Austin and meeting with legislators in a small group, please contact Jason Haynsworth at jason@txfed.com or (214) 738-3342.
Click here for links to contact your legislators
Click here for a summary of the Perryman Report about the impact of VLTs