Texans Closer to Keeping $2.5 Billion From Leaving State

AUSTIN, Texas, May 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — This weekend, Texas moved one step closer to stemming the flow of money to our neighboring states when House Joint Resolution (HJR) 111 passed out of committee. HJR 111 will allow Texans to vote on placing slot machines at licensed racetracks and federally-recognized Indian reservations in Texas.

“Right now, Texas dollars are helping to fund schools in Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico. We have an opportunity to keep a huge chunk of that money here,” said State Representative and Speaker Pro-Tempore Beverly Woolley. “We can generate revenue, create more than 77,000 jobs and spur economic growth all without expanding the footprint of gambling in the state and without raising taxes.”

HJR 111 is authored by State Representative Beverly Woolley (R-Houston).  Companion legislation filed in the Texas Senate has bi-partisan support. SJR 33 is authored by Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio).

Recent polling shows 82 percent of all Texas voters and 83 percent of conservative voters support a right to vote for allowing slots at licensed racetracks in Texas. Data also shows Republican primary voters overwhelmingly (80 percent) support a Republican officeholder in a Republican primary election who supports allowing Texans to decide.

“We are excited to see legislators seizing this opportunity,” said Mike Lavigne, spokesperson for Win For Texas. “Once approved, the impact would be almost immediate, as it would raise $548.2 million for the next budget cycle and create 77,000 new, permanent Texas jobs. We can begin generating revenue immediately while we build first-class facilities.”

Economic studies indicate this legislation, as proposed, would bring in approximately $1 billion each year in tax revenue and create more than 77,000 jobs for Texans across a wide variety of sectors.

For more information on the bill, polling data and economic impact studies please visit www.winfortexas.com.