Burnt Orange Report

Perry's Office Lies About Gambling

By Andrew Dobbs

Sometimes I wonder how little regard the Republicans in this state hold the rest of us in. I mean, if you lie about something that is as easily disproven as a 30 second Google or Lexis-Nexis search, how can you possibly respect the person you are lying to? At least if it were hard to disprove I could give them credit for covering up their tracks in an attempt to defeat our clearly adequate research skills and memory. But no, they lie about things there is no reason to lie about.

Case in point- an Associated Press report from today quotes Rick Perry's spokeswoman Kathy Walt as saying

"There are a lot of conspiracy theorists around the capitol," said Perry spokeswoman Kathy Walt. "The fact of the matter is the governor has never been a proponent of gambling."

Really? NEVER been a proponent? People who think otherwise are "conspiracy theorists"? Well, I suppose that Rick Perry might want to sidle up next to Alex Jones, since he himself has called himself a proponent of gambling.

From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4-21-2004:

Less than two years ago, Gov. Rick Perry warned that any attempt to expand gambling in Texas would have a "short life span" on his desk. Now Perry wants to make revenue from new video slot machines a centerpiece of his school finance plan, leaving many gambling opponents, particularly those in religious circles, feeling betrayed and angry.”

From the Associated Press (the same author who wrote today's story, no less), 4-13-2004:

Last week, Perry proposed a plan that would lower property taxes for homeowners and businesses while shoring up additional revenue from an increased tax on cigarettes, video lottery gambling and an admission fee on adult entertainment events, among other sources.

From another Associated Press report (same author-- April Castro-- again), 4-6-2004:

Perry's plan does not include a significant new tax bill to replace the revenue that would be lost in tax cuts, but his office has floated allowing state-taxed video lottery terminals at racetracks and an increase in the cigarette tax to fund education.

Now to the good stuff. From Rick Perry's press office, 4-8-2004:

Perry said he will pay for his plan through a variety of revenue sources that target tax fairness, unhealthy behaviors or voluntary actions. His revenue proposals include a $1 per pack cigarette tax hike, fees on adult entertainment, closing the franchise and auto sales tax loopholes, and - if Texas voters approve - video lottery at specified venues.

The same quote was used in a press release on April 13, 2004. Very similar was a line from his April 8, 2004 speech outlining his education proposals in San Antonio:

My plan includes a $1 per pack cigarette tax hike, fees on adult entertainment, closing the franchise and auto sales tax loopholes to make them fairer, and - if Texas voters agree - video lottery terminals in approved areas.

Finally, and most damning, from his proclamation calling the 2004 special session on 4-15-2004:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICK PERRY, Governor of the state of Texas, by the authority vested in me(...) do hereby call an extraordinary session of the 78th Legislature(...) for the following purposes: (...)

To consider legislation and amendments to the constitution that authorize and allow the placement and licensing of video lottery terminals at licensed racetracks and certain Indian reservations, providing that the revenue derived from such activity is dedicated to the Educational Excellence Fund, providing that the racetracks and tribes sign a contract with the state.

So three news reports, two press releases, a public speech and the proclamation from Perry's office all say that he supported gambling. How stupid does he think we are? All of this stuff was either on Lexis-Nexis or his very own website. At least the Communists were respectful enough to take stuff out of the records before they lied about it. Rick Perry is a two bit crooked politician and possibly the worst governor in Texas history. All this does is convince me even more that he'll be the easiest to beat in 2006.