Gambling in Texas? Don t bet on it anytime soon
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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) The pandemic is leaving the state of Texas with a budget shortfall, and some say the way to close the gap is to bring gambling to Texas.
The state is projecting the biannual budget to be $11 billion less than original estimates, largely due to COVID-19. While state leaders have already said it won t happen, an eye-opening survey that shows gambling in Texas is becoming a popular idea.
A University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs survey found 65% of Democrats, 53% of Republicans and 60% of independents say they favor gambling in the state.
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Texas Press Association Mon, 02/08/2021 - 6:42pm
Gary Borders | Texas Press Association
Monday, February 8, 2021
The number of people in Texas hospitalized with COVID-19 has declined more than 28 percent in the past month, according to the Texas Department of Health Services. As of Feb. 7, Texas hospitals were treating 9,957 COVID-19 patients, down from nearly 14,000 a month ago. The number of new cases in the past week was 123,239 a 22 percent drop from the record high of 158,922 the week of Jan. 10, according to the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is less favorable in the Lone Star State than President Joe Biden, according to a survey conducted by the University of Houston s Hobby School of Public Affairs.
Of those surveyed, 39% said that they felt favorable or very favorable for Gov. Abbott, while 40% said unfavorable. Biden s favorability was at 41% with 42% responding unfavorably.
Former President Donald Trump topped the list of those having a very unfavorable opinion at 46%, followed by Senator Ted Cruz at 40%.
Texans were also asked whether they believed there was widespread election fraud in the 2020 election. About 41% responded yes, and 50% said no, mostly falling along party lines.
Winners and losers: Texas House Speaker shakes up chamber’s leadership with emphasis on new faces
Veteran lawmakers lost leadership positions as Speaker Dade Phelan looked for ‘fresh perspectives’
State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, held a press conference at the capitol to declare that he had enough votes to become Speaker of the House. Nov 4, 2020.(Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune)
AUSTIN House Speaker Dade Phelan shook up the chamber’s leadership Thursday as he announced committee assignments that replaced veteran lawmakers in important positions and appointed 12 members to lead committees for the first time.
“The House stands to benefit from members assuming new roles and responsibilities and the fresh perspectives these appointments provide,” Phelan said in a statement. “I have utmost confidence that each of these appointees will excel in the positions they’ve been selected for.”