Texas lawmakers supported by casinos omit anti-gambling amendment from rezoning legislation, sparking criticism
Busting a Move on Texas Zoning Laws:
Two similar bills in the Texas Legislature are causing a stir, making it tougher for local folks to block zoning changes in their town or city. Here's the kicker: the House version of the bill, HB 24, does not include an amendment that keeps the lower standard for gambling or sports wagering, a move that could make it simpler to rezone an area to build a casino.
The supporters of this casino-friendly measure? Those are the same folks who've received a tidy sum in campaign contributions from the Texas Sands PAC, a group connected to the casino and resort company Las Vegas Sands Corp.
This isn't the first time Las Vegas Sands Corp has attempted to enter the Texas market. Back in December, they proposed a mixed-use development in Irving that would have included a casino, subject to legalization in Texas.
Senate Bill 844, filed by Senator Bryan Hughes, and HB 24, filed by Rep. Angelia Orr, aim to change the protest threshold, requiring 60% of property owners within 200 feet of the adjacent proposed rezoning, rather than the current 20%. That means more hurdles for ordinary citizens trying to stop zoning changes near their land – hoops that could be easier to jump through with the support of big-money backers like the Texas Sands PAC.
Critics claim that the bills were not designed with corporate entities in mind, but during a House Chamber session on May 6, Rep. Andy Hopper argued otherwise. He contends Rep. Orr could have included the amendment, passed unanimously by the Senate, but chose not to. Hopper believes the Texas House is being controlled by Las Vegas Sands and the casino lobby.
Despite repeated requests for comment, Las Vegas Sands Corp has remained quiet on the matter.
In other developments, the university-owned land in Planned Unit Development stood up to Sands' casino plans earlier this year. Some local residents, although casino gaming was nixed from the plans, remain wary of Sands' potential future moves. Changes to the protest threshold could make such efforts easier.
So far, none of the lawmakers backed by the Texas Sands PAC have responded to KERA's emails. Rep. Orr maintains that the bill is intended to boost housing in communities, while stressing that the protest process remains intact.
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- The Texas Sands PAC, linked to Las Vegas Sands Corp, has been donating substantial funds to supporters of the casino-friendly measure in local politics, raising concerns about the influence of corporate entities in the zoning law changes.
- The casino-and-gambling industry, represented by organizations like Las Vegas Sands Corp, has a history of attempting to enter the Texas market, with recent efforts including a proposed mixed-use development incorporating a casino.
- In light of the potential impacts on local communities and general news of the government's proposed zoning law changes, citizens are encouraged to stay informed and engage with their representatives, as decisions regarding community development can have far-reaching consequences.
