Sad news

[Emerson1]

http://www.pokernews.com/news/2009/05/texas-poker-bill-dies-for-2009-6566.htm

Makes so much since to veto something that would generate hundreds of millions of tax dollars for education

:(

Think of the children

[Trashman]

They said the same thing about the lottery, bingo and horse racing. I'm still waiting for my school property taxes to go down.:D

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by Trashman
They said the same thing about the lottery, bingo and horse racing. I'm still waiting for my school property taxes to go down.:D That's because the money went into the general fund and was never used for education like they said it would be. Typical government.:rolleyes:

[wildstangs]

My school filter is blocking this, but I am assuming that it is about gambling once again being blocked in Texas. What a huge mistake we are making. Go take a look at the parking lots of casino's in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana on any given day. 80% of the cars have Texas plates. There is a reason they are built right across the border from Texas.

Could you imagine Texas building something similar to "The Strip" in DFW, Houston, Austin, or San Antonio? Our state would rake in tourism dollars of millions every year.

[jason]

should have turned reunion arena into a hotel/casino.....

[waterboy]

I knew it before we ever even voted on the lottery that the government would lie to us. The money they promised was for education has been used elsewhere. Why should we trust the goverment to do as they say when they continue to lie to us? I continue to be amazed that this sort of thing continues, yet we continue to vote for those lying politicians. All money that comes out of our pockets should be accounted for, and spent in the same proportion as promised in any campaign that we vote on. It should be mandatory to stick to the original promises unless we the people vote otherwise. Just my $.02.....:mad:

[Farmersfan]

Originally posted by waterboy
I knew it before we ever even voted on the lottery that the government would lie to us. The money they promised was for education has been used elsewhere. Why should we trust the goverment to do as they say when they continue to lie to us? I continue to be amazed that this sort of thing continues, yet we continue to vote for those lying politicians. All money that comes out of our pockets should be accounted for, and spent in the same proportion as promised in any campaign that we vote on. It should be mandatory to stick to the original promises unless we the people vote otherwise. Just my $.02.....:mad:


Politicians who actually keep their promises???
It seems so simple doesn't it?

[waterboy]

Originally posted by Farmersfan
Politicians who actually keep their promises???
It seems so simple doesn't it?
You'd think so! I know that power corrupts, but surely there has to be some repercussions for dishonesty. Dishonesty should be grounds for impeachment, or at least to getting voted out of office. I guess the voters' memories really are short-term. Either that, or they just don't know the facts........which, by the way, is what I suspect. I wish the voting public would work on finding out those facts BEFORE they vote for any incumbent. If they are dishonest, or don't vote the way you want them to, they should NOT get reelected.

[JasperDog94]

Here in Houston, Metro held an election for more light rail and it passed. They then changed their minds about where the rail should be and wanted to put it on one of the busiest streets in all of downtown Houston. Luckily, enough people threw a fit and they didn't go through with it.

Texas Parks and Wildlife did the same thing. They raised fishing licenses for the purpose of building new fish hatcheries. They then tried to divert that money to other programs.:mad: :mad: :mad:

[Emerson1]

Originally posted by wildstangs
My school filter is blocking this, but I am assuming that it is about gambling once again being blocked in Texas. What a huge mistake we are making. Go take a look at the parking lots of casino's in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana on any given day. 80% of the cars have Texas plates. There is a reason they are built right across the border from Texas.

Could you imagine Texas building something similar to "The Strip" in DFW, Houston, Austin, or San Antonio? Our state would rake in tourism dollars of millions every year.
Try billions.

LA casinos alone pay out 400 million in salaries and benefits to it's workers.
(I gave a speech over why gambling should be legal in Texas)

[garciap77]

Originally posted by waterboy
I knew it before we ever even voted on the lottery that the government would lie to us. The money they promised was for education has been used elsewhere. Why should we trust the goverment to do as they say when they continue to lie to us? I continue to be amazed that this sort of thing continues, yet we continue to vote for those lying politicians. All money that comes out of our pockets should be accounted for, and spent in the same proportion as promised in any campaign that we vote on. It should be mandatory to stick to the original promises unless we the people vote otherwise. Just my $.02.....:mad:

It's OK waterboy! At least we own GM now!:D




;)

[waterboy]

Originally posted by garciap77
It's OK waterboy! At least we own GM now!:D




;)
:mad: No, the government does! Don't get me started on that!:mad:

;)

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by garciap77
It's OK waterboy! At least we own GM now!:D




;) Can I get my owner's discount on a new truck?

[ronwx5x]

Originally posted by waterboy
I knew it before we ever even voted on the lottery that the government would lie to us. The money they promised was for education has been used elsewhere. Why should we trust the goverment to do as they say when they continue to lie to us? I continue to be amazed that this sort of thing continues, yet we continue to vote for those lying politicians. All money that comes out of our pockets should be accounted for, and spent in the same proportion as promised in any campaign that we vote on. It should be mandatory to stick to the original promises unless we the people vote otherwise. Just my $.02.....:mad:

I have been told that the reason the Lottery money goes into the general fund is due to the amount being so difficult to forecast. The amount of $ taken in by the state since the lottery began is actually declining, while $'s devpted to education have increased, although not enough. I would not like seeing education funds cut due to declining lottery income.

Now whether education funding increased initially by at least the lottery income, I have no idea.

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by ronwx5x
I would not like seeing education funds cut ... Unfortunately that's already been happening over the past several years. The state keeps giving less and less and the districts have to make up the difference on their end.

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by ronwx5x
Now whether education funding increased initially by at least the lottery income, I have no idea. When the lottery was introduced this is how education was funded: The state spent all the money it wanted/needed on other programs and whatever was left went to education. Education was always the last thing funded...by the leftovers.

That said, I don't know if it is still done this way or not, but I do know the state is giving less and less each year.

[Electus Unus]

Without getting this bill passed within the next 5-10 years horse racing in Texas will cease to exist.

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by Electus Unus
Without getting this bill passed within the next 5-10 years horse racing in Texas will cease to exist. They could do a separate bill for horse racing if they want to. The problem is that anyone can add an amendment to any bill. That's how these bills get so big and bloated. It's utterly ridiculous.

[sinton66]

Check this link to the lottery website. They say all proceeds go to education. What they don't say is this isn't general education, it's CHARTER schools (the FOUNDATION School Fund).

http://www.txlottery.org/export/sites/default/Supporting_Education/

[sinton66]

And Ann Richards never promised the money would go anywhere but the general fund and the lawmakers would decide what to do with it. She only said they could use it to help fund education if they wanted to.

I've heard them say that the money isn't "stable" enough to fund education. Nobody's asking them to fund education ENTIRELY from Lottery. This is nothing but double-speak. There certainly isn't anything wrong with saying the first 2 million each week goes to GENERAL education, then the state can do what they want with the rest. It's not going to happen, but there's nothing wrong with that approach.

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by sinton66
And Ann Richards never promised the money would go anywhere but the general fund and the lawmakers would decide what to do with it. She only said they could use it to help fund education if they wanted to.

I've heard them say that the money isn't "stable" enough to fund education. Nobody's asking them to fund education ENTIRELY from Lottery. This is nothing but double-speak. There certainly isn't anything wrong with saying the first 2 million each week goes to GENERAL education, then the state can do what they want with the rest. It's not going to happen, but there's nothing wrong with that approach. But we were told by Richards that if we didn't pass the lottery for education that she would seek a state income tax instead...and at least the lottery is a tax on people who are really, really bad at math.

[LH Panther Mom]

Originally posted by Electus Unus
Without getting this bill passed within the next 5-10 years horse racing in Texas will cease to exist.
And how many successful tracks are there here? :thinking:

[Pick6]

I guess Vegas and Shreveport has the best education systems in the country since they have casinos :rolleyes:

[BuckeyeNut]

Originally posted by Pick6
I guess Vegas and Shreveport has the best education systems in the country since they have casinos :rolleyes:

Shreveport public school are fair but there Private School are some of the best in the nation. I don't know were they get there money but i know of at least 6 in Shreveport that are top notch.

[lulu]

Originally posted by Black Flag
Shreveport public school are fair but there Private School are some of the best in the nation. I don't know were they get there money but i know of at least 6 in Shreveport that are top notch.

They get it from Texans going to the Casinos. We have a dumb bunch of leaders,

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by lulu
They get it from Texans going to the Casinos. We have a dumb bunch of leaders, You missed the point. It's the PRIVATE schools that are far superior in Louisiana, not the public schools which are partially financed by gambling money. Legalizing gambling in Texas is not the answer.

[lulu]

Originally posted by JasperDog94
You missed the point. It's the PRIVATE schools that are far superior in Louisiana, not the public schools which are partially financed by gambling money. Legalizing gambling in Texas is not the answer.

Doesn't the state help some students with private school tuition? Heard that somewhere.

[OldBison75]

I would support casino gambling if there was a clear law that the government proceeds were spent in a designated way. For example, 20 percent to a permanent public education fund like the permanent university fund, 10 percent to a teacher incentive program to improve classroom teaching methods, 10 percent to a fund to award incentive grants or bonuses to individual teachers that excel in teaching and preparing tudents, and 10 percent to a school facility and technology grant or loan program. The remaining 50 percent would be designated to education as a whole to increase teacher salaries and reduce or limit school taxes. The money that is currently spent from the general fund can then be reduced and those saving be spent in other areas.

The problem is that government hates it when they have no control over where money is used and they can't skim some off the top for their pet projects. A designated appropriations schedule like described above would insure that none of the gambling money could be spent for anything other than education.

It'll never happen, but I think that kind of legislation is the only way the public will ever consider legalized gambling to be a legitimate endeavor. At least the millions of dollars being made off of Texans in Louisana and Las Vegas would actually be benefitting our own children. This would also increase the income from hotels taxes, restuarant taxes, and tourism dollars. But, what do I know, I am not a ploitician or economist, just a guy that like to gamble a little every now and then.

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by lulu
Doesn't the state help some students with private school tuition? Heard that somewhere. Only if they have a voucher program. I'm not sure if they do or not, but that still doesn't mean we should promote gambling as a source of revenue. If we allowed taxpayers to take the money they put into the school system through property taxes and use it for private education, that would be a huge step in the right direction.

[lulu]

Originally posted by JasperDog94
Only if they have a voucher program. I'm not sure if they do or not, but that still doesn't mean we should promote gambling as a source of revenue. If we allowed taxpayers to take the money they put into the school system through property taxes and use it for private education, that would be a huge step in the right direction.
Well this will probably really grate on you. I think that parents that live in rent property should have to pay tuition for their children to attend school. Not a big one but some. I know landlords pay taxes but these peoples kids are attending school tax free while folks with no children that own property are supporting the school. So let the parents pay tuition and give the childless folks a break. Just my 2 cents.

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by lulu
Well this will probably really grate on you. I think that parents that live in rent property should have to pay tuition for their children to attend school. Not a big one but some. I know landlords pay taxes but these peoples kids are attending school tax free while folks with no children that own property are supporting the school. So let the parents pay tuition and give the childless folks a break. Just my 2 cents. I don't disagree with that at all. I have no idea how you would implement that but I agree completely.

[lulu]

Originally posted by JasperDog94
I don't disagree with that at all. I have no idea how you would implement that but I agree completely.

I don't know how to implememt that either but it sure is good to know there are others that feel that way.:thinking:

[Phantom Stang]

Screw where the tax money goes!!
Fact of the matter is, that the State which is the namesake of "Texas Hold 'em", won't legalize the game to be played publicly within it's boundaries. :dispntd:

[Electus Unus]

Originally posted by JasperDog94
They could do a separate bill for horse racing if they want to. The problem is that anyone can add an amendment to any bill. That's how these bills get so big and bloated. It's utterly ridiculous. Horse racing is losing money in Texas and they need this bill to pass to create more money for the tracks.

[LH Panther Mom]

Originally posted by Electus Unus
Without getting this bill passed within the next 5-10 years horse racing in Texas will cease to exist.

Originally posted by LH Panther Mom
And how many successful tracks are there here? :thinking:

Originally posted by Electus Unus
Horse racing is losing money in Texas and they need this bill to pass to create more money for the tracks.
Exactly! So why pour more money into it? Sounds vaguely like GM and we all know how that's turning out. :doh:

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by LH Panther Mom
Exactly! So why pour more money into it? Sounds vaguely like GM and we all know how that's turning out. :doh: So what you're saying is that we might also be part owners in race tracks soon?:p

[BuckeyeNut]

Don't worry sooner or later we will have it all. I remember my mother going over the line to play the lottery every time it got big. Just give it time.:D :D

[PPHSfan]

I prefer to leave the State to gamble. I wish they would have never allowed horse racing here either. Let the loan sharks, prostitutes, and extortionists, stay over in Louisiana. I can cross the river or fly to Nevada when I get the urge to blow my money.

[WildTexan972]

Originally posted by lulu
Well this will probably really grate on you. I think that parents that live in rent property should have to pay tuition for their children to attend school. Not a big one but some. I know landlords pay taxes but these peoples kids are attending school tax free while folks with no children that own property are supporting the school. So let the parents pay tuition and give the childless folks a break. Just my 2 cents.

good grief....some people just continue to amaze you at how clueless they can be....

landlords do not DONATE the property taxes to the school districts out of good will - they are paid to the landlord by the renter as part of the rent....can this really be so difficult to figure out?

[lulu]

Originally posted by WildTexan972
good grief....some people just continue to amaze you at how clueless they can be....

landlords do not DONATE the property taxes to the school districts out of good will - they are paid to the landlord by the renter as part of the rent....can this really be so difficult to figure out?
You are the cluless one
Must be a renter or just unwilling to see that non property owners get a free ride. and no I do not believe renter pays extra for taxes. Property owners do good to cover maintence and repairs and mortgage and insurance much less charging for taxes.
Face it renters get a free ride on everyone elses coat tail. A little tuition would help the school and go directly to the school. Not much and not per child just per family.

To each his own and we can agree to disagree. Ok with me.

[Pick6]

If a landlord doesn't take into consideration all the cost of owning a home, such as taxes, then he's just spinning his wheels. I guarantee you that if I had a rent house the renters would be paying enough that they would be paying part of the taxes of the house that I lived in. Why have a business if you're not making $$$$.

[Pawdaddy]

Originally posted by OldBison75
I would support casino gambling if there was a clear law that the government proceeds were spent in a designated way. For example, 20 percent to a permanent public education fund like the permanent university fund, 10 percent to a teacher incentive program to improve classroom teaching methods, 10 percent to a fund to award incentive grants or bonuses to individual teachers that excel in teaching and preparing tudents, and 10 percent to a school facility and technology grant or loan program. The remaining 50 percent would be designated to education as a whole to increase teacher salaries and reduce or limit school taxes. The money that is currently spent from the general fund can then be reduced and those saving be spent in other areas.

The problem is that government hates it when they have no control over where money is used and they can't skim some off the top for their pet projects. A designated appropriations schedule like described above would insure that none of the gambling money could be spent for anything other than education.

It'll never happen, but I think that kind of legislation is the only way the public will ever consider legalized gambling to be a legitimate endeavor. At least the millions of dollars being made off of Texans in Louisana and Las Vegas would actually be benefitting our own children. This would also increase the income from hotels taxes, restuarant taxes, and tourism dollars. But, what do I know, I am not a ploitician or economist, just a guy that like to gamble a little every now and then.


I agree with some of this, however, let's not forget about the benefits our teachers get. They have sick days out of the whazoo! Let them give up a chunk of their bonuses if they miss a certain number of days teaching in a school year. Some of these teachers will average missing between 1-2 days per week taking "sick days." Who is teaching these kids on those days? The bonuses coming from the kids exceling in those classes should be split by percentages between the actual teachers and the others who "sub" as teacher when they are gone.

[lulu]

Originally posted by Pawdaddy
I agree with some of this, however, let's not forget about the benefits our teachers get. They have sick days out of the whazoo! Let them give up a chunk of their bonuses if they miss a certain number of days teaching in a school year. Some of these teachers will average missing between 1-2 days per week taking "sick days." Who is teaching these kids on those days? The bonuses coming from the kids exceling in those classes should be split by percentages between the actual teachers and the others who "sub" as teacher when they are gone.

Talking out your----- cause you head has to know better. the State gives 5 sick days. Teachers have several weeks training in the summer. What bonues? Don't know what kind of schools district you live in but our teachers get no bonuses.

You need to get a little bit more knowledge and facts before you start spouting off about something you obviouslty know nothing about.

[garciap77]

Originally posted by lulu
Well this will probably really grate on you. I think that parents that live in rent property should have to pay tuition for their children to attend school. Not a big one but some. I know landlords pay taxes but these peoples kids are attending school tax free while folks with no children that own property are supporting the school. So let the parents pay tuition and give the childless folks a break. Just my 2 cents.


Well, have some children and move to a rental! Then you can get a free ride on everyone else’s coat tail too! :D



;)

[OldBison75]

Like Lulu says, the "sick days", are very limited, although they do increase after a certain number of years in the district. My wife teaches and she gets limited "sick days", a couple of personal days, and 5 vacation days per school year. Yes, she may not be in the classroom with students for a couple of months during the summer, but she will work on school related things and attend career developement classes about 4 days a week during summer vacation. Plus, the teachers she works with all work from 7:00 am to about 5:00 pm each day during school and have to attend to mounds of curriculam paperworks at every free moment.

I guarantee you that they earn every penny they make, which ain't much. Plus, show me where you work your job having to deal with class after class of kids that don't have manners, won't follow directions. and have home lives that lack support and sometimes love. She spends more of her income on getting necessities for kids in her classes so they can learn than she does on herself. If you actually broke her salary into hourly wages, she would be making about five dollars per hour. You talk big, but you would tell your boss to kiss your butt in the same conditions. Her school has been exemplary the last two years, the only school in the entire district that has ever reached that level. BUT, NO TEACHER IN HER SCHOOL has received a single bonus, merit raise, or other compensation. She gets only what the same teacher that just shows up gets. The merit or bonus system would encourage all teachers to try harder and reward thier efforts.

[lulu]

Originally posted by garciap77
Well, have some children and move to a rental! Then you can get a free ride on everyone else’s coat tail too! :D



;)

Paid my dues and too old to do it again so now I just pay for the free rides.;)

[garciap77]

Originally posted by lulu
Paid my dues and too old to do it again so now I just pay for the free rides.;)


http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing024.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)


P.S. You are never too old!:)

[lulu]

Originally posted by garciap77
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing024.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)


P.S. You are never too old!:)

Are you kidding Me 77? I been too old for a long time.

[sinton66]

It would be great if there were a "Merit System" for teachers. However, money from gambling will never accomplish that. Lets not forget who would be controlling that money. Given a boat load of new available money, the pork barrels would be overflowing and your "representatives" would be lining their own pockets.

What Texans need to do is examine whatever comes out from Austin, demand funding bills be put on general ballot, study what they've offered, and make intelligent choices. Say NO if it's not what you wanted. Trust me on this, if you just read the description on the ballot, you won't have a clue what they're really pulling.

[lulu]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by sinton66
It would be great if there were a "Merit System" for teachers. However, money from gambling will never accomplish that. Lets not forget who would be controlling that money. Given a boat load of new available money, the pork barrels would be overflowing and your "representatives" would be lining their own pockets.

What Texans need to do is examine whatever comes out from Austin, demand funding bills be put on general ballot, study what they've offered, and make intelligent choices. Say NO if it's not what you wanted. Trust me on this, if you just read the description on the ballot, you won't have a clue what they're really pulling. [/QUOTE

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