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Texas Racing Commission seeking emergency funds

AUSTIN, Texas -- As reported by The Dallas Morning News: "As the horse racing lobby begs lawmakers for slot machines at racetracks, the officials that oversee the struggling industry have come to the Capitol for their own bailout.

"The Texas Racing Commission, which is funded through fees on the industry it regulates, faces a shortfall of nearly $700,000 and has asked Gov. Rick Perry for a $250,000 emergency grant. If that fails, officials have asked for more money in the state budget. And on Thursday, they came before the House committee that oversees gaming and made their case: that the declining horse racing industry, coupled with some bad luck, is sending them into the red.

"'This is a hardship,' said Charla Ann King, Racing Commission executive director. She blamed the shortfall on an unexpected drop in uncashed winning bets, which are the largest share of the commission's revenue, and a hurricane season that disrupted tracks' business. 'The industry is on the edge of the end.'

"Allison Castle, Perry's spokeswoman, said the governor is seeking more information about the problem but hasn't committed to anything.

"Industry experts say racing attendance is down because patrons are choosing to visit states that have slot machines at their tracks. The extra income from slot machines leads to bigger purses and more competitive races, which draw visitors and horse breeders..."

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