By Jeff West

SDN Staff Writer

Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s plan to reduce property taxes by increasing “sin taxes” and allow video lottery terminals at race tracks and Indian reservations has now drawn criticism from organizations who believe the move will open the door to legalized casinos and other forms of gambling.

Dr. Tommy Culwell, pastor at Colonial Hill Baptist Church and other members of the Christian Alliance Commission (CAC), are opposing the introduction of the terminals into the state.

“The deceptive name, video lottery terminals, is designed to mislead people. These are slot machines just like they have in Las Vegas,” Culwell said. “I believe casino gambling will be the likely result of this (legislative) session.”

Perry’s plan has already drawn the ire of a number of city and county officials who believe the limit on tax valuation increases will limit services they can offer.

Texas Comptroller Carol Keeton Strayhorn also has said the plan will result in a $5 billion deficit, Others have criticized the governor’s plan as promoting the activities the “sin taxes” were designed to curtail.

“If people cut down on drinking, smoking, and gambling the state revenue to pay for our schools will go down, if the plan passes,” according to the CAC,

Currently the state constitution prohibits gambling except for bingo by charitable organizations and the state lottery.

“Type III machines are currently banned by the constitution. If they are allowed in, then roulette wheels and other types of slot machines would be legal as well,” Culwell said. “Casinos on Indian reservations could be the next step.”

He said the CAC has twice written to the governor trying to set up a meeting to express its concerns but Perry’s office has not responded to either letter.

Gov. Perry has said he does not believe that the video terminals are an expansion of gambling in the state and that since Texans have already approved the lottery and para-mutual betting they see gambling as an acceptable form of entertainment.

“Perry’s chief of staff is a former lobbyist for the gambling industry. I believe the governor is trying to make gambling legal, that’s what he really wants to do,” Culwell said.

Dr. Cullwell said he was becoming personally involved in this issue. “I don’t figure there will be a casino in Snyder; it will be in Lubbock, but gambling devastates the outlying areas where casinos exist. I am just trying to inform my people, and as many people as I can, as to what the real issue is here.”