Various Texas organizations joined together Thursday in opposition to Gov. Rick Perry's proposal to fund public schools by legalizing video lottery terminals at race tracks.
Meanwhile, Perry's chief of staff Mike Toomey continued defending the governor's plan to members of the House Select Committee on Public School Finance.
Under Perry's plan, video lottery terminals would be allowed at licensed race tracks and participating Indian reservations.
"This is one concept on the table, and quite frankly the people of the state of Texas should be the final decision maker," Perry said.
But anti-gambling groups oppose the legalization of video slot machines on moral grounds.
"There is a huge difference between the proposal to assess a tax on unhealthy lifestyle choices, and the proposal to create an unhealthy lifestyle choice," said Suzii Paynter, member of Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Paynter joined other speakers from the League of United Latin American Citizens, Gray2K, the Texas Catholic Conference and others to oppose the video slot machines.
Several of the speakers at Thursday's press conference denounced Perry's plan, claiming it would support a highly addictive form of gambling.
"We do not solve problems by creating new problems for low-income individuals," said Ana Yanez-Carrero, a member of LULAC.
Perry's plan also includes a $1 tax increase on cigarettes and a $5 tax on admission into sexually oriented businesses. The governor says his entire plan will increase state revenue by $7.1 billion over three years.
Members of the school finance committee questioned Toomey about the governor's proposal and discussed the idea of exempting local governments from unfunded state mandates.
Rep. Glenn Lewis, D-Fort Worth, said he was concerned local governments would no longer pay the cost of state-mandated services to its residents.
"We wouldn't want to open the door and let people sue the state for minimal costs," Lewis said.
Earlier Thursday morning, Senate Education Committee chair Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, said she expected a bill to emerge from the House committee next Wednesday. The bill should go to the House floor May 3, she said.
"I think it's a goal, but nothing is set in stone," said Louann Martinez, a spokeswoman for Rep. Kent Grusendorf, R-Arlington.
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