Video slots plan is in trouble

[NoPasaran]

Republicans and Democrats alike are threatening to kill a proposal to expand gambling in Texas by legalizing video lottery terminals, a move that could deal another big blow to the current House school finance plan.

The bipartisan opposition to video lottery comes from Republicans who object on moral grounds and Democrats who hope an attack on legalizing the terminals will force House leaders to drop a plan for higher sales taxes. Together, they could have the 51 votes needed to kill what has become a major part of a House committee's revenue-raising plans.

The House Select Committee on Public School Finance has been working on a plan to cut property taxes and change the way the state pays for public education since a special session began April 20.

House factions have risen up to oppose major parts of the proposal since it was unveiled earlier this week. Wednesday, committee members balked at plans to let the state collect property taxes — rather than local governments — and to expand the sales tax to include services such as accounting and haircuts. Both were removed from the proposal.

-more- http://www.statesman.com/news/content/shared/tx/legislature/04/30finance.html

[sonias]

1. Strange bedfellows indeed

We have Democrats opposed to regressive sales tax increases teaming up with the super religious right wing opposed to gambling. Well whatever works.

Representative Lon Burnam has a great idea, let's tax polluters or rather let's just make them pay their fair share for fouling our air, which also impacts our children. This will always be a stable source of revenue.

Here's a link to TX PIRG's action on this. Take a few minutes to fax your reps on this.
http://pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=732&id4=ES

Representative Lon Burnam has filed HB 34 and HB 35 to tax coal, inefficient power plants and large, polluting vehicles like hummers. These taxes will create $1.2 billion in new revenues for our schools and will encourage polluters to clean up their act.

Please take a moment to tell the Texas Legislature to make polluters help pay for our schools. Then ask your family and friends to help by forwarding this e-mail to them.

Sonia

[Richardo]

2. I want to see the ads "I play the slots so's my kids can get edumucated"

...and my hubby's gettin lap dances for the same reason! Our kids'll be SO smart they'll elect Republicamans for EVER!!" :eyes:

[GOPisEvil]

3. It fits so well on a bumper sticker:

STRIPPERS AND VIDEO POKER FOR A QUALITY EDUCATION

Stop this state, I want to get off. :grr:

[amber dog democrat]

4. You could not make this up

Its way too funny. Gov Perry gives Aggies a bad name.