Legislative Advertising by Texas Eagle Forum, P.O. Box 795354, Dallas, TX 75379.

Casino Bill / DOMA To Be Considered Soon

CASINO BILL TO GO BEFORE SENATE AFTER BEING APPROVED IN HOUSE
The Texas House approved a bill yesterday that would grant legal protection to casinos operating on the reservation land of any one of the three federally recognized Indian tribes within the state. Authored by Representative Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen), H.B. 514 would allow Indian tribes to operate casinos on their tribal lands without facing prosecution for violation of the state's gaming regulations which prohibit casino-style gambling. Proponents of the bill believe that casinos will provide a steady source of income for impoverished Indian tribes, allowing them to provide basic social services on their reservations.

Although residents of tribal reservations oftentimes live lives of deprivation and are frequently unable to acquire gainful employment, using the profits of a socially destructive business to ameliorate their difficult situation is not a good solution. In many cases, the primary beneficiaries of casino gambling on Indian reservations are the non-Indian employees and owners of the casino facilities, whereas harmful social costs of gambling such as increased bankruptcy and divorce rates, criminal activity, and higher unemployment tend to accrue indiscriminately to Indians and non-Indians alike. Casinos also tend to depress the economy in their surrounding areas, undercutting local establishments by offering meals and hotel rooms at rates far below market prices.

**ACTION ITEM**

We can still stop this socially destructive piece of legislation. Although H.B. 514 has already passed the House, its Senate companion has yet to be considered on the Senate floor. Please contact your State Senator and ask him to vote against S.B. 253.

Capitol switchboard: (512) 463-4630

DOMA TO BE HEARD IN THE HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ON MONDAY, APRIL 30 - H.B. 496, also known as the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), has been scheduled for a hearing before the House State Affairs Committee on Monday, April 30. Securing the passage of this legislation is paramount in the effort to prevent same-sex marriage from being judicially grafted into Texas family law.

**ACTION ITEM**
Securing a hearing for DOMA is only half the battle. If he chooses to do so, Chairman Steve Wolens (D-Dallas) could hear the bill and then proceed to let it die in committee without ever calling for a vote. Please contact the members of the State Affairs Committee and do the following: (a) ask them to request that a vote be called on DOMA prior to adjournment on Monday, and (b) ask them to vote for DOMA.