GOP doesn't think it has enough bipartisan support to OK slots

11:36 PM CST on Wednesday, March 30, 2005

By DAVE MICHAELS / The Dallas Morning News

AUSTIN — Support for expanded gambling in Texas began to wane Wednesday as Democratic leaders said they would oppose the legalization of slot machines, and Republican leaders acknowledged the plan is in trouble.

Four leaders of the House Democratic Caucus said they saw no reason to endorse slot machines after Republicans pushed through a school finance plan opposed by Democrats. Democrats argue the education plan does not raise enough new money to schools and complain that it increases gasoline and sales taxes.

"Then you add the gambling," said Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine. "In terms of the regressivity, at what point do you stop?"

Mr. Gallego was joined by Reps. Garnet Coleman of Houston, Jim Dunnam of Waco and Scott Hochberg of Houston. The four members said they spoke only for themselves and had not counted other Democratic votes.

But House Republican leaders, knowing that gambling requires bipartisan support to pass, said gambling probably is a long shot. Any gambling bill needs a two-thirds majority, or 100 votes, in the House because it would require a constitutional amendment.

"I don't think we have 100 votes on the floor," House Speaker Tom Craddick said. "I don't see any movement one way or the other."

Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, said the Republicans could fund their $139 billion budget plan without money from gambling taxes, which would raise about $1.2 billion a year according to the most recent estimate.

"We don't need gambling to balance our budget," said Mr. Pitts, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. "I am not saying we don't need gambling next session, because I think we probably do."

Mr. Pitts is co-author of a bill that would allow horse and greyhound racetracks to set up slot machines, also known as video lottery terminals. The bill, whose co-authors include other members of Mr. Craddick's leadership team, also seeks to establish 12 casinos in Texas.

Mr. Craddick said that might be the problem – the proposal includes many options.

"I don't think there's any set program out there that anybody's pushing to get it through," Mr. Craddick said.

The House Democrats complained that Republicans are pushing forward with their $139 billion budget but not specifying where the funding will come from.

The Democrats want funding restored to some programs that were cut two years ago, such as the Children's Health Insurance Program. But they said they do not want to have to trade a vote on gambling to get those programs restored.

The caucus leaders said some Democrats are providing cover for the Republicans, whose own party opposes new gambling initiatives. Some Democratic lawmakers have played a lead role in writing gambling legislation.

In a House in which a significant number of Republicans oppose expanded gambling – Mr. Dunnam put the number at 40 – its supporters need Democratic support.

Staff writer Christy Hoppe contributed to this report.