Post by pavel on Jan 8, 2016 18:21:16 GMT -6
A group of racehorse owners sued the state Friday to block legislative efforts to shut down the Texas Racing Commission — and with it, the state’s racetracks.
The Texas Horsemen’s Partnership contends lawmakers are relying on an unconstitutional provision in the state budget, holding the Racing Commission’s funding in check to force that state agency to repeal rules that allow “historic racing” — a new form of betting — at those tracks.
Members of the state’s Legislative Budget Board have given the commission until Feb. 29 to repeal the rule, saying they won’t extend the agency’s funding if the commissioners keep the rule in place. Without funding, the agency can’t maintain regulation of tracks and without that regulation in place, the tracks aren’t allowed to operate.
“This lawsuit is a misplaced attempt to force my office into making a payment against the will of the Legislature,” said state Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who was named in the lawsuit since his office handles the state's finances. “I am interested in a long-term solution to this issue; however, wasting taxpayer dollars by taking advantage of the overburdened court system is not the answer.”
Continue reading at www.texastribune.org/2016/01/08/horse-owners-sue-state-keep-racing-commission-open/ .
The Texas Horsemen’s Partnership contends lawmakers are relying on an unconstitutional provision in the state budget, holding the Racing Commission’s funding in check to force that state agency to repeal rules that allow “historic racing” — a new form of betting — at those tracks.
Members of the state’s Legislative Budget Board have given the commission until Feb. 29 to repeal the rule, saying they won’t extend the agency’s funding if the commissioners keep the rule in place. Without funding, the agency can’t maintain regulation of tracks and without that regulation in place, the tracks aren’t allowed to operate.
“This lawsuit is a misplaced attempt to force my office into making a payment against the will of the Legislature,” said state Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who was named in the lawsuit since his office handles the state's finances. “I am interested in a long-term solution to this issue; however, wasting taxpayer dollars by taking advantage of the overburdened court system is not the answer.”
Continue reading at www.texastribune.org/2016/01/08/horse-owners-sue-state-keep-racing-commission-open/ .