Legislative Action Alert, April 15 2013

TTA Member Action Alert

The legislation for video lottery games (slot machines) at the 13 licensed horse and Greyhound racetracks and the three federally recognized Indian Tribes has been introduced in both the Texas House and Senate. Senator Juan Hinojosa’s SJR #36 and SB #789 have been referred to the Sub-Committee on Fiscal Matters within the Senate Finance Committee. Representative Richard Raymond’s HJR #121 and HB #2729 have been referred to the Licensing and Administration Committee.

All horse breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys and racing fans need to contact their Senators and Representatives asking for these joint resolutions and bills to be scheduled for hearings.

Please contact by e-mail, fax or phone, the Licensing and Administration Committee Chairman Representative Wayne Smith and Vice-Chairman John Kuempel asking for HJR #121 and HB #2729 to be scheduled for a hearing and copy the committee clerk.

Always include at least your name, occupation and city of residence.

Chair: Rep. Wayne Smith (HD 128)
Office: (512) 463-1733 Fax: (512) 463.1323
District Phone: (832) 556-2002
wayne.smith@house.state.tx.us

Vice Chair: Rep. John Kuempel (HD 44)
Office: (512) 463-0602 Fax: (512) 463-5896
District Phone: (830) 379-8732
john.kuempel@house.state.tx.us

Clerk: Gabe Valenzuela
Phone: (512) 463-0798
gabe.valenzuela@house.state.tx.us

Please copy (c.c.) the Speaker of the House Joe Straus when you send your requests to Representatives Smith and Kuempel.

Speaker Joe Straus
Office: (512) 463-1000 Fax: (512) 463-0675
joe.straus@speaker.state.tx.us

Then contact by e-mail, fax or phone, the Fiscal Matters Sub-Committee Chairman Senator Glenn Hegar, the Finance Committee Chairman Senator Tommy Williams and Vice-Chairman Senator Juan Hinojosa voicing your support and asking for SJR #36 and SB #789 to be scheduled for a hearing and copy the Committee Clerk.

Sen. Glenn Hegar (SD18)
Office: (512) 463-0118 Fax: (512) 475-3736
District Phone: (281) 391-8883
district18.hegar@senate.state.tx.us

Chair: Sen. Tommy Williams (SD 4)
Office: (512) 463-0104 Fax: (512) 463-6373
District Phone: (281) 364-9426
tommy.williams@senate.state.tx.us

Vice Chair: Sen. Juan Hinojosa (SD 20)
Office: (512) 463-0120 Fax: (512) 463-0229
District Phone: (956) 972-1841
juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Clerk: Stephanie Hoover
Phone: (512) 463-0370
stephanie.hoover@senate.state.tx.us

Please copy (c.c.) the Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst when you send your requests to Senators Hegar, Williams and Hinojosa.

Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst
Phone: (512) 463-0001 Fax: (512) 936-6700
david.dewhurst@ltgov.state.tx.us

You should also contact your personal Senator and Representative with the same request and providing your testimonial as to who you are, what you do, horse racing involvement, how you have been negatively impacted by racinos in surrounding states and asking for support for the legislation to allow Texans to vote on a constitutional amendment to permit slot machines at Texas racetracks.

Again, please copy (c.c.) the Lieutenant Governor when you contact your Senator; and Speaker Joe Straus when you contact your Representative.

You can get your legislators’ contact information by entering your address at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/.

Please do this today as we need to have these hearings scheduled before the end of April.

Thank you!!!