Governor Perry is a flip-flopper (I know the Republicans love that phrase),

As we reported on March 22, gambling was gonna be tricky. We refer to the March 20 Chron editorial:

Yet he has taken large campaign contributions from among the $1.4 million that gambling interests have thrown at Texas politicians. He supported it in the past.

And his former top aide, Mike Toomey, is a lobbyist for a VLT firm, just one high-paid soldier in a lobbying effort that the Dallas Morning News recently appraised at between $3.4 million and $6.2 million for this legislative session alone.

Perry's remarks three months ago were deft. He didn't promise to oppose gambling. He just resigned as the cheerleader in chief.

More...

We were reminded of that editorial with this press release. See? Perry, you aren't the only one with a media outlet. Too bad it's full of misinformation, though. That's just sad.

For Immediate Release:
March 31, 2005
512-478-3998

Why Can't Rick Perry Tell the Truth About Gambling?

Associated Press Reports Perry Spokeswoman Kathy Walt as saying, "The
fact of the matter is the governor has never been a proponent of
gambling."

Not True.

The same story also reminds readers that slot machines were an integral part of his school finance proposal last year. The Perry Plan got 0 votes.

"Rick Perry's statements on this issue bear so little resemblance to the truth, he could probably get a job in his own press office," said
Charles Soechting, Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party.

Let's take a quick jog down memory lane:

"Less than two years ago, Gov. Rick Perry warned that any attempt to
expand gambling in Texas would have a "short life span" on his desk. Now Perry wants to make revenue from new video slot machines a centerpiece of his school finance plan, leaving many gambling opponents, particularly those in religious circles, feeling betrayed and angry."

Perry Under Fire For Video-Slots Plan, By Jay Root
Fort Worth Star Telegram. April 21, 2004.

"Last week, Perry proposed a plan that would lower property taxes for
homeowners and businesses while shoring up additional revenue from an
increased tax on cigarettes, video lottery gambling and an admission fee on adult entertainment events, among other sources."

Gov. Rick Perry calls special session, By April Castro
Associated Press. April 13, 2004

"Perry's plan does not include a significant new tax bill to replace the revenue that would be lost in tax cuts, but his office has floated allowing state-taxed video lottery terminals at racetracks and an increase in the cigarette tax to fund education."

Perry Plans To Convene Special Session This Month, By April Castro
Associated Press. April 6, 2004.

So why can't Perry tell the truth about gambling? Is it because his
former chief of staff, Mike Toomey, is the lead lobbyist for slot
machines? Or is it because he is letting Republican Primary politics
enter into his decision making?

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