Two Views of Indian Gaming in Texas

As the state legislature considers passing a bill that would legalize Indian gaming in Texas, the debate inside and outside the capitol continues.

Tribal leaders emphasize that the ability to operate gaming is an aspect of tribal sovereignty, allowing tribal governments to address unemployment and poverty rates that exceed those of the general population in state. According to Alabama-Coushatta Tribal Council Chairwoman Joanne Batise, the tribe has a 46% unemployment rate and a median annual income of less than $11,000. Legalized gambling in the state would allow the tribe to re-open its casino and raise government revenue to help address the needs of its members. After the casinos were closed as a result of a federal lawsuit, tribes had to cut social programs for lack of funding.

But some Texas lawmakers see Indian gaming differently. State Rep. Will Hartnett, according to one account, said he's not interested in legalizing gambling in order to help out a few hundred people. "[Tribal members] will potentially all become millionaires as a result of this bill, and frankly, I'd like to do that for a lot of my people in my district," said Hartnett.

Perhaps a better goal would be single-digit unemployment rates for all communities in Texas, including tribal communities.

Read more here in the Dallas Morning News.