Texas Racing Commission FINALLY Caves!!!

"Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight."
Proverbs 11:1

The cronyism in their day to day business model is bad enough.  Their assault on the rule of law was even worse.  Finally, the Texas Racing Commission steps back from the brink:

The Texas Racing Commission has voted to repeal its endorsement of historical racing terminals, the controversial machines that led to a fierce political fight with prominent state legislators.

This ends a more than yearlong fight over the authority to add new gaming machines at horse and dog tracks.

....

The horse racing industry and some commissioners have clashed with the Legislative Budget Board over historical racing, also known as Instant Racing, in which machines show video replays of old races with identifying information removed. The board, which includes influential legislators, said the machines would be an illegal expansion of gambling. The commission and the industry disagreed.

....

The standoff led to a temporary cutoff of an important portion of the agency’s funding last year. The commission and all Texas tracks closed for a day before a temporary compromise was reached. The budget board continues to control a piece of the commission’s budget.

But there have been concerns that another shutdown would be imminent if historical racing weren’t repealed. Commission officials had already warned tracks that its full funding ends in February and to prepare for closure March 1.

The commission was scheduled to vote on historical racing Feb. 9, but a Texas Greyhound Association lawsuit and its temporary restraining order blocked that action.

A hearing on the restraining order was scheduled for Thursday morning in Brownsville, but the plaintiffs withdrew it.

That gave the commission an opportunity to vote for a third time on repealing historical racing. Two previous votes failed.

....

Commissioners approved historical racing last year but no machines were installed. At least two lawsuits challenged the machines, and one judge ruled that commissioners didn’t have the authority to approve historical racing.

A coalition of horse racing interests is trying to intervene and appeal that judge’s decision. Horse racing backers were concerned that repealing historical racing would undercut the appeal effort.

Lt. Governor Patrick released the following statement:

AUSTIN – I support today's action by the Texas Racing Commission to repeal its rules for historical racing in Texas.

As a state district court has ruled, only the Texas legislature can approve any expansion of gambling.

With this issue now behind us, I look forward to sitting down with responsible members of the horse racing industry to discuss the future of horse racing in Texas.

Texas Racing Commission signs its Death Warrant

"The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness."
Matthew 13:41 

Yesterday, the Texas Racing Commission chose cronyism over the explicit wishes of the Texas Senate.  To be honest, the degree to which they continue to be stubborn and belligerent shocks us.  Lt. Governor Patrick's statement speaks for itself:

PR 12 15 2015 Lt. Gov. Patrick on Texas Racing Commission

Patrick, ONCE AGAIN, Rebukes LAWLESS Texas Racing Commission

"The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,"
Matthew 13:41

OUCH:

Letter to Texas Racing Commission

-----

Update: Bob Hall weighs in on Facebook....

Bob Hall Lt Governor Patrick and Senator Nelson are absolutely right. Like other commissions which have over stepped their authority, the Racing Commission does not have the authority to expand gambling. I hope the other commissions that are considering similar actions to exceed their authority are paying attention to the firm stand the legislature is taking on mud-steps like this one.

Like · Reply · 1 hr

The misplaced priorities of Texas' political reporters

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled."
Matthew 5:6

Last week, there was significant social media buzz as Governor Abbott commented about the case with Ahmed Mohammed in Irving, TX.  We don't want to comment on that case or the Governor.  But it did re-enforce something we already knew about the media.

Abbott didn't discuss "Ahmed" on his own.  Neither was he asked about it by anyone attending the event.  He was asked about it by the press.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Governor had no jurisdiction over this case.

By contrast, consider the lawless Texas Racing Commission.

A little less than a month ago, the Texas Racing Commission engaged in a staggering act of bureaucratic Chutzpah.  They did so in direct opposition to the Texas Senate.  It's a classic case of governmental malfeasance.

The kicker: Governor Abbott has direct authority in this case.

Bottom Line: For the press to ask the Governor about a click-baitey, sensationalized national story (that he can't do anything about) instead of the lawless actions of a rogue state agency (where he has direct authority), tells you everything you need to know about the press.

How Governor Abbott can discipline the lawless Texas Racing Commission

"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold."
Matthew 24:12

Yesterday, in a BRAZEN act of chutzpah, the Texas Racing Commission gave the elected leadership of Texas a GIGANTIC middle finger:

Commissioners voted 4-3 against removing references to historical gaming machines from its rules at today’s meeting.

"Historical racing" is a euphemism for slot machines.  Last year, the Racing Commission approved "Historical racing" terminals in an attempt to impose Casino Gambling on Texans. Texas Senate Republicans refused to go along.

Here's where things get interesting: Three current members of the Racing Commission are holdovers whose terms expired in February.  Of those three, commissioners Gary Aber and Michael Martin voted for "Historical racing."  This gives an opportunity to Governor Abbott.

When the legislature is out of session, Article IV, Section 12, subsection (c) of the Texas Constitution grants the Governor wide appointment authority:

If an appointment of the Governor is made during the recess of the Senate, the Governor shall nominate the appointee, or some other person to fill the vacancy, to the Senate during the first ten days of its next session following the appointment.

Bottom Line: Governor Abbott has the authority to replace two of the Commissioners who yesterday voted to allow "Historical racing."  The appointees would take office as soon as the Secretary of State received the paperwork and would serve until (at least) 2017.  It will be interesting to see if Governor Abbott uses this authority.

-----

Governor Greg Abbott:
Phone: (512) 463-2000
Twitter: @GregAbbott_TX

Discussing Texas' 2015 Constitutional Amendments

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever."
Psalm 111:10

The Central Texas Republican Assembly also discussed Texas 2015 Constitutional Amendments on Thursday:



Highlights:

• Prop. 1 -- Property Tax Relief. (Yes)

• Prop. 2 -- Yet another complicated attempt to pander to Veterans over property taxes.  (NO!!!)

• Prop. 3 -- Statewide officials don't have to live in Austin.  (Yes)

• Prop, 4 -- Backdoor Gambling.  (NO!!!)

• Prop. 5 -- Small Counties can do private road maintenance.  (Yes)

• Prop. 6 -- Protecting Hunting from rapacious local governments.  (Yes)

• Prop, 7 -- Another complicated Transportation funding Formula.  (Undecided)

The Latest Casino Gambling Backdoor

"Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase."
Proverbs 13:11

John H. Reagan office building -- Earlier today, the Texas Racing Commission held a hearing to discuss permitting 'historical racing' terminal, a euphemism for slot machines, at horse racing tracks.  This is the latest backdoor attempt to expand casino gambling in Texas.  The hearing was a scene straight from Ayn Rand.

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

[Author's note: The hearing doesn't start until the five minute mark of the video.]

During the 1980's, when Kohmeni's Iran and Saddam Hussein's Iraq went to war, Henry Kissinger is rumored to have said "I hope they both lose."  That would be an accurate way to describe this hearing.  All sides in this dispute were looking to use government to shut down their competition.  Nobody was interested in a free market.  Sadly, it was a contest to see whose cronies won.

There are no good guys in this fight.  That being said, the proposed rule change is worse than the status quo.  Concerned Texans can contact the Texas Racing Commission at 512-833-6699.

----

Tony McDonald has more:

Today the Texas Racing Commission will take testimony from citizens concerned with the agency’s impending constitutional overreach. The Commission is considering enacting a rule that would allow Texas horse and dog tracks to implement devices called “instant racing” or “historical racing” terminals which critics have said are nothing more than thinly veiled slot machines.

Public outcry has prompted the commission to move its meeting to a new location in the Reagan Building to accommodate larger than usual crowds. Many Texans are furious that the commission would consider an end-run around the legislature and the state constitution’s general prohibition on gambling.

....

But there is an even bigger problem with the machines than their slot machine-like appearance and operation. The machines are billed by track owners as an extension of “pari-mutuel wagering,” where gamblers bet against each other in a pool with the house taking a share of that pool, rather than putting up money of its own for players to win. This is the process through which betting is allowed currently for live and simulcast racing and is a very narrow exception to the state’s general prohibition on gambling.

Running such a scheme on single-player machines obviously presents a problem, however. If the players were truly betting against each other, then the first person up to the machine would have nothing possible to win.

That is why the rules being contemplated by the Racing Commission propose that the machines be funded with gambling interest dollars to form “seed pools.” This house money means that the machines are not “pari-mutuel” and thus, even ignoring their seedy appearance, are illegal under Texas law.

Read the whole thing here.

Texas Lottery Commission attempting Casino Gambling backdoor

"Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need."
Ephesians 4:28

Sigh; what part of HELL NO do you people not understand?!?

Electronic devices similar to slot machines may soon be coming to bingo halls around Texas. The proposed devices, which give bingo players "video confirmation" of wins and losses, will be discussed by the Texas Lottery Commission on April 16. The proposition has surfaced a long-fought battle in Texas, over whether or not casino-style gambling should be made legal in the state.

....

Despite this, many oppose the new video bingo machines because they are similar to slot machines.

The Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas opposes casino-style gambling in the state. A spokesman from the group, Rob Kohler, told the Associated Press of the proposed machines, "This changes the gaming landscape in the state."

....

But Tony McDonald, General Counsel for the political advocacy group Empower Texans, said expanding gambling in Texas could hurt the state more than it helps.

McDonald told Breitbart Texas, "The gambling industry sells false hope for people who don't understand probabilities. The industry is designed to dazzle people and trick them out of their money. They give the free drinks for a reason--they want you to stick around. The longer you stay, the more likely you are to lose your money."

He said it is often the poorest individuals and families in society who end up getting gamed by the system.

McDonald also pointed out that historically, the lottery has not funneled a significant amount of revenue into the state.

"There is a big problem with the revenue argument," he said. "Supporters start trumpeting statistics of money going to the state from the lottery and people think, 'We're going to bring in tons of revenue for our schools.' But in reality, the money collected from the lottery each year only funds about three days of the school year."

Many assert that state-regulated bingo, which gives proceeds to charities rather than schools, is no more effective.

....

McDonald warned that as gambling becomes more popular in Texas, burdensome regulations in the state will only grow in size and scope.

"The problem is, when we talk about gambling, we're not talking about getting together in a room and having a poker game," he said. "We're not talking about a free activity in the market. Gambling is one of the most regulated industries in the U.S. By legalizing gambling, you're creating another stake holder in government."

He concluded by joking, "Battleground Texas would love nothing more than a cash cow of casinos to fund liberal Democrats."

Last session, there was a surprise opportunity to eliminate the Texas Lottery.  Unfortunately, Joe Straus killed it.  But if the Texas Lottery Commission is going to create loopholes for the casino gambling lobby, we ought to take another shot at them in 2015.

-----

Concerned Texans can contact Texas Lottery Commission chairman Gary Greif via the following means:

E-mail: gary.grief@lottery.state.tx.us
Phone: 512-344-5160

Casino Interests Supporting Our Opponents

Agendawise details the campaign contributions of the leading casino gambling lobbyist in Texas:

In 2013, high powered Obama ally John Montford was engaged to lobby for the expansion of gambling in Texas. His effort was DOA but as Hoppe’s article suggests the left will continue to work for the false economic promise of more gambling in Texas. Expanded gambling in Texas would enrich a few families and flood an aggressive lobby with cash.

What we find striking, however, is that Montford (or his wife) donated to several primary opponents of Cahnman's Musings endorsed candidates.

In the statewide race for Attorney General, we support Ken Paxton; Montford supports Ken's opponent Barry Smitherman:

Barry Smitherman John Montford $7500 R

In the race for House District 121, we support Matt Beebe; Montford supports Texas House Speaker Joe Straus:

Joe Straus Debbie Montford $1000 R

In the race for Senate District 25, we support Donna Campbell; Montford supports her opponent:

Michael Novak Debbie Montford $6273.37 R

Casino gambling wasn't a factor in our endorsement decisions, but it's good to know that their top lobbyist seems to hate Cahnman's Musings endorsed candidates in particular!

Agendawise: Gambling and battleground Texas

Casino gambling in Texas is a terrible idea that never seems to die.  Agendawise has a fantastic piece on how casino gambling is also a smokescreen to give organized labor a foothold in Texas.  This is a shrewd plan by Democrats:

Expanded gambling is the Democrats meal ticket to expanded power in Texas. It is an invitation to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Harry Reid’s political base of power in Nevada.

....

For Democrats casinos mean a very powerful lobby (think: trial lawyers but more violent) and unions. Reid relied heavily on casino unions to hold onto his seat in 2010. Gambling expansion in Texas means unions and built-in campaign infrastructure.

....

Gambling expansion is an important plank in the Democratic Party’s plan to take over Texas. Casinos, and the unions that come with them, would be a big victory for them. Conservatives must mobilize in opposition.

Any conservative (or so-called libertarian) who supports casino gambling is a sucker.