Friedman Urges Legalization Of Texas Casinos - NBC5 Report

[Blake]

DALLAS -- Legalizing casinos in Texas makes sense because residents already drive to nearby states or fly to Las Vegas to gamble, independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman said Thursday.

"This is common sense," said Friedman "It's crazy to have Louisiana gamblers mad at Oklahoma for taking away their Texans."

Friedman, a musician, author and humorist, said he recently returned from a "fact-finding mission" in Las Vegas and estimated that half the people he met there were from Texas. Texans are also responsible, Friedman said, for transforming the regional gambling hot spot of Tunica, Miss., from the "poorest little town in Mississippi to the richest little town in Mississippi."

Legal casino gambling in Texas would generate between $6 billion and $8 billion annually for the state, he said. That money would improve public schools and lower property taxes, which Friedman described as "obscene and outrageous."

"We would bring the money back home," Friedman said. "Legalizing casino gambling is very popular in Texas, and I think most people want it."

Friedman's comments on gambling were part of an overall political message he described as K.I.S.S.P.: Keep It Simple, Stupid Politicians.

Friedman positioned himself as an outsider to incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Perry, Democrat Chris Bell and Carole Keeton Strayhorn, an independent who is the state comptroller. Those three have a combined 89 years of political experience, Friedman said.

"A politician is thinking about the next election," Friedman said. "A statesman is thinking about the next generation. Get the money changers out of the temples. Get the politicians out of Texas."

Friedman repeated ideas he discussed Wednesday in Houston, including beefing up security by increasing the number of National Guard troops at the Texas-Mexico border from 1,500 TO 10,000. He also wants to give Houston $100 million to address rising crime.

Friedman complained about the budget surplus in Austin, saying he would use it to strengthen the state park system and improve social services.

"These areas have been so gutted by this governor that I don't think any policy I would create could hurt them any worse," he said.


nbc5i.com - Politics - Friedman Urges Legalization Of Texas Casinos

[Ash]

so much for trying to win the conservative vote

[e-brake]

Originally Posted by Ash

so much for trying to win the conservative vote

The people opposed to casinos are going to be hardline Perry supporters anyway. Those on the fence are likely to be swayed by Kinkys plan to lower property taxes, a much bigger problem in Texas than keeping people from gambling.

[Roos]

mp3

[Blake]

omg a Roos spotting in the a&p forum!

:P

[Roos]

pfft. I got nothing. Was on the phone with him today for about 20 minutes though.

Listen to Big Dick Hunter's Wild Ass Circus this Saturday from 7p-9p on 105.3 FREE-FM for a Kinky interview.