ATTENTION: MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS HORSE INDUSTRY
“SENATOR JOHN CARONA’S GAMING BILL IS ON THE MOVE”
Senator John Carona (R-Dallas) has introduced Senate Joint Resolution #64, which proposes a constitutional amendment providing additional revenue for the state budget by creating the Texas Gaming Commission, to authorize and regulate the operation of casino games and slot machines by licensed operators, racetracks and certain Indian tribes. Senator Carona held a press conference on April 8th and the bill was heard in the Business and Commerce Committee (chaired by Senator Carona) on April 10th.
In addition to our full support of other legislation beneficial to the horse industry (HB 2375, HB 2729, HJR 121, SB 789, SJR 36 and SB 1340), we are pleased to report that Senator Carona has publicly stated his support for the racing industry to be equitably accommodated in this legislation. Texas HORSE representatives met with Senator Carona and his staff and expressed concerns over several horse related provisions which we felt were needed for our support of this bill. These concerns include a guarantee for a minimum of live race dates for each breed at each track and 12% of racetrack gaming revenues to be dedicated to purses, breeding incentives, and the Performance Horse Development Fund. Senator Carona has agreed to all these requests and has revised SJR #64 accordingly.
This is a very significant move by a well-respected and influential Republican Senator. Senator Carona is endeavoring to secure the necessary votes to pass SJR #64 out of the Business and Commerce Committee and HAS SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE HORSE INDUSTRY.
Please immediately contact the members of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee by phone, e-mail and fax requesting their support for SJR #64. You should also contact your own Senator with the same request. When contacting these Senators, you should state who you are, where you live, what you do for a living, your horse or racing involvement, and how you have been negatively impacted by racinos in surrounding states. Then politely and sincerely ask for support for SJR #64, which will allow Texans the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment to allow casinos at racetracks.
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce
Chair: Senator John Carona
Office: (512) 463-0116 Fax: (512) 463-3175
john.carona@senate.state.tx.us
Vice-Chair: Senator Larry Taylor
Office: (512) 463-0111 Fax: (512) 463-3727
larry.taylor@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Kevin Eltife
Office: (512) 463-0101 Fax: (512) 463-3751
kevin.eltife@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Craig Estes
Office: (512) 463-0130 Fax: (512) 463-8874
craig.estes@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Kelly Hancock
Office: (512) 463-0109 Fax: (512) 463-7003
kelly.hancock@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Eduardo A. “Eddie” Lucio
Office: (512) 463-0127 Fax: (512) 463-0061
eddie.lucio@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Office: (512) 463-0126 Fax: (512) 463-2114
leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Kirk Watson
Office: (512) 463-0114 Fax: (512) 463-5949
kirk.watson@senate.state.tx.us
Senator John Whitmire
Office: (512) 463-0115 Fax: (512) 463-3737
john.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us
You can get your own Senator’s contact information by entering your address at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/.
PLEASE ACT NOW – TIME IS SHORT!!