How the Texas Poker Bill Ended Up Dead in 2009
A recent bill that was presented to the state was allowed to just die off without even voting on it. It was unclear at first as to why they were allowed to just kill it off, but later realized it was a bureaucratic loophole in the system.
This bill was going to be closely monitored by the Texas Lottery Commission, making sure it stayed in compliance with the bill at hand. The House Bill 222, the bill most everyone called “The Texas Poker Bill” would allow poker games to be conducted at racetracks statewide.
The provision to allow poker games and tournaments to be held in local bars and restaurants was removed, leaving only racetracks. If poker tournaments could be held in bars, so the logic went, gambling would become widespread through the state. Racetracks are much fewer and farther between. The hope was that by significantly reducing the number of locations where poker tournaments could be legally conducted, it would increase the bill’s chance of passing.
Initially, supporters of the Texas Poker Bill thought it had a good chance to pass. The state of Texas is facing a large budget deficit this year. Meanwhile, millions of dollars leave the sate every year when Texas residents cross the borders to gamble in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
The expansion of legal poker games within Texas, however, would result in more gambling tax revenue for the state. The hope was that Texas legislators, seeing the Texas Poker Bill as a potential source of extra income, would support the bill.
However, the bill just seemed destined to fail, as just before the bill was about to go up for voting, the government relieved the state of Texas of its budget deficit with federal stimulus money leaving no urgency for extra revenue for the state. Texas State Governor Rick Perry made it abundantly clear that he would veto any bill, expanding gambling with in his state. So really no matter had the bill gotten the 100 votes needed to pass, it would have not made much difference to the Governor.
There was another option. Jose Menendez a Texas State Representative and strong supporter of the bill came up with a possible solution. Menendez proposed a discussion, and vote re-introduce the bill on June 2nd 2009, ironically one day after the new legislation is set. He argued that because the bill had not been voted on that it was eligible to be re-submitted to the legislature a second time.
When it seemed as if there would be new life in this bill, and that it may get done this year it was then everyone realized no matter what they were going to have to wait. You see the legislation only meets every two years, and the earliest it will meet again will late 2010, but even voted on and passed wouldn’t be until early to mid 2011. As of right now Texas will be waiting until then to see the bill again.
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