Lawmakers push to reopen casino
Round five has begun in the fight between El Paso's state delegation and the state to get Speaking Rock Casino reopened.
Two weeks ago, state Rep. Chente Quintanilla, D-El Paso, filed a resolution calling for the voters, not the legislators, to decide whether gaming should be legal in Texas. If the resolution passes and voters approve gaming, the state's elected officials would no longer have the power to keep Speaking Rock from reopening.
"I am filing this bill again because of my belief in letting the people have their voice heard," Quintanilla said. "I want Texans to vote up or down on gambling, and then to have each county decide whether gambling will be legal."
El Paso's state delegation has been fighting to reopen the Tigua casino since Texas Attorney General John Cornyn shut it down in 2002. During the 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009 session, the local lawmakers tried to get Speaking Rock reopened.
All have failed.
Now, as the 2011 legislative session is set to begin, Quintanilla and the other local legislators will try for the fifth time.
Several bills may soon be filed. Quintanilla already filed a House Joint Resolution that allows voters to decide whether there should be gambling in Texas. The resolution does not include or exclude any forms of gambling. If passed, each Texas county will have to vote on whether gambling would be authorized in that county.
A similar bill in the 2009 legislative session came within four votes of passing the House floor
before it died.
State Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, said getting any legislation passed next year to help the Tiguas will be tough. Pickett is the most tenured El Paso state legislator.
Some statewide reports have stated that Texas may open its doors to gaming to offset the state deficit. Pickett doesn't think that will be the case.
"The state being down so much money isn't the issue," Pickett said. "Even though the Tiguas are offering some of their money to the state, there are a lot of legislators saying the state is already spending too much money. They are looking to cut spending, they are not looking for more money."
Tigua tribal council member Chris Gomez said the Tiguas remain resolved to reopening their casino.
"We feel like it is our sovereign right," Gomez said. "It's one of our main economic initiatives, and we will continue to pursue it."
A 1999 economic impact study of Speaking Rock found that the Tigua casino, with its 1,500 slot machines and tables, had a total impact of $823 million on El Paso during the six years it was open.
The Tiguas routinely used the casino to improve the tribe's economic status and to help others. For example, the tribe bought a $30,000 wheelchair for a Del Valle High School student who needed it and sent $100,000 to the city of Laredo to help it rebuild after a flood.
The tribe also built a $20 million recreation center for its members, as well as several houses.