Dallas Morning News: With Texas Budget Crisis, Odds May Be In Gambling’s Favor
AUSTIN – Horse racing backers have put their money on a different kind of race this season, betting millions on candidates with some hope of expanding gambling at Texas tracks.
The state’s scramble for new revenue to fill its expected $18 billion budget hole has given gaming interests their best chance in a decade to overcome legislative opposition. And that’s drawn an interesting mix of donors trying to bankroll election day winners.
“This is the do-or-die session,” said Mike Lavigne, spokesman for Texans for Economic Development, a political committee of 14 track owners that has raised $540,000 in the last year.