Texas lawmaker Needs casinos to assist underfunded programs

Texas Representative, Joe Deshotel, filed a bill earlier in the month to find the nation build casinos along the cost to help supply much-needed funds for windstorm insurance as well as flooding aid for residents. The bill has been filed on December 7^th and if passed into law, would make tax licensed casinos, with revenues going to cover the cost of the Texas Insurance Agency.

The step places the nation Lottery Commission as the regulator, together with the capability to authorize six accreditation for casino gaming in six counties located in coastal areas of the state. The casino earnings would see 18 percent paid in gaming tax. Some of the money would go towards the Texas Insurance Agency for windstorm assistance, to make sure funds is there to cover insured shortages as well as expenses for operations.

According to apnews.com…

Rep. Deshotel commented that he anticipates opposition towards his step within another session. The Rep. stated: “It’s something we ought to do no matter whether the funds are dedicated to those issues. (windstorm insurance/flooding assistance). Every single country to Texas has legalized gaming. We shed tens of thousands of dollars in potential tax revenue to all those areas. We have the consequences of gaming, but none of those advantages. ”

Assisting in Needed Spots:

This is not the first time that Deshotel has suggested a bill between casinos. In 2015, he filed a bill similar to the one, that didn’t proceed forward. This time around, Deshotel decided to add a portion of the tax going towards flooding assistance to help when these organic disasters happen such as Hurricane Harvey.

The Representative pointed out that like the lottery helps public schooling, the casinos along the coasts could help with the problem of windstorm, something that is paid by the counties along the shore.

A proposal was created earlier in the year to raise taxes for residents and commercial properties by 10 percent to help subsidize the assistance necessary for windstorm, but Governor Greg Abbott obstructed the proposal. The next legislative session will start on January 8^th, so we’ll see if the bill manages to proceed or if it does not gain the support required to continue.