For this reason, when the state needs more money, it has to raise sales tax or cut department spending. For example, in 1984 the sale tax was 4.25 percent, but only six years later it rose to 6.25 percent. Furthermore, cities, counties, transit authorities, and other taxing agents may levy a sales tax up to an additional 2% combined, for a total maximum sales tax of 8.25 percent (Lavine 11). Despite the elevating taxes, many people argue that Texas has a very low combined state and local tax burden. This is only true at the state level, but at the local level Texas has a very high tax burden - 9th in sales tax per capita and 15th in property tax per capita (Lavine 15). The state managed to portray this image only because Texas pushes funding obligations down to the local level, such as public education. For this reason, cities such as Houston must implement high property taxes to ensure adequate funding for police enforcement, public transportation, and education. Because of the tremendous shortfall this year, the city of Houston resorted to layoff teachers and security personnel to meet budget requirements. Therefore, instead of continued tax hikes or sacrificing much needed state services, why not allow for casino gambling as an alternative source of revenue for the state? The direct economic impact of casino gambling is clear by looking at our neighboring states.Despite the economic impact of casino gambling, debates exist over

Law360 (December 20, 2019, 5:07 PM EST) -- Leaders of 32 tribes in Oklahoma have rejected Gov. Kevin Stitt’s plan to extend 15-year gaming compacts for only eight months so the state and tribes can renegotiate rates, saying there’s nothing to talk about because the agreements automatically renew on Jan. 1.
The leaders of almost every tribe in Oklahoma with a gambling compact joined Thursday in dismissing the governor’s bid to stall auto-renewal as he looks to fill state coffers with a larger share of gaming revenue. On Tuesday Stitt had reaffirmed his belief that the compacts expire Jan. 1, and he rebuffed the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association’s stance...