Perry nixes gambling plan-won't pursue slot machines as a revenue option

[liveoaktx]

Link

Gov. Rick Perry, who nine months ago made video slot machines a cornerstone of his public school finance plan, conceded Wednesday that there is little support in the Legislature for expanded gambling.


Perry said he is less likely to pursue that revenue option now, following the comptroller's projections of an improved state budgetary outlook.

"I don't think video lottery terminals or any form of gambling is as attractive to this Legislature as it was six months ago. I'm not sure it was very attractive then," Perry said in an interview with the Houston Chronicle.

His plan to legalize slot machines at racetracks and on Indian reservations, which contradicted the official anti-gambling position of his own Republican Party, died during a special session last spring.

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[sonias]

1. Dewhurst announced he's got 31 Senators on board

to expand the TX franchise tax to all business entities i.e. include partnerships, which take advantage of a loophole now. Dell gets away not paying franchise tax as does the Austin American Statesman in exactly that way.

I'd say Perry saw that Dewhurst cut him off at the pass.
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/new.htm#

Sonia