Opinion
Texans want approval for their own casinos
A non-scientific perusal of the vehicle license tags in the parking lots of Oklahoma tribal gaming casinos shows an abundance of Texans partaking in the games.
Texans want in on the other end of the action, too. The Associated Press reports a group of lawmakers is trying again to establish destination casinos in Texas. The idea has been shot down before.
The Lone Star state, like Oklahoma, is in need of the tax revenue the 12 proposed casinos would produce. To sweeten the deal, the lawmakers say $1 billion from the gambling tax money would go toward college scholarships. Road construction would get another $1 billion.
The lawmakers, some Republicans and some Democrats, want to allow construction of up to 12 "destination" resort casinos statewide. They would allow video slot machines at racetracks and wagering on Indian reservations.
Oklahoma has more than 80 tribal casinos, ranging from truck stop slot machines to Vegas-style mega-casinos like Riverwind south of Norman, WinStar near the Texas border and Cherokee Casino in Catoosa.
Texans have a few tribal casinos, lots of bingo halls and a state lottery that draws lots of Oklahoma participants. We don't want to send tourists there but it's only a matter of time before Texans cash in on casino popularity.
- Opinion
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It’s easier to be green
Oklahoma’s ranking as a green state got a nice boost Wednesday, and it had nothing to do with St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
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Oklahomans hit harder by gasoline price hikes
A steady price increase at the gasoline pumps is painful for any driver. But the cost has been steadily increasing in recent weeks and is harder on Oklahomans, a new report said.
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From dreams they come
One can learn a lot from his dreams. Like how screwed up his mind must work while his subconscious is in control.
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Unemployment up while Census jobs go unfilled
Our mailboxes were stuffed with Census forms this week as the government begins its nationwide headcount. Officials ask that the fo
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Oh, those joking freshmen
State Rep. Lewis Moore, a Republican lawmaker from Arcadia, thought it would be funny to swap the portraits of President Barack Obama and Gov. Brad Henry that hang in the House chamber.
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Congratulations, Selmon family
Every year, we await the announcement of Norman’s ’89er Day Parade Marshal. It’s a top-secret announcement that surprises us every
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Lawmakers’ ploy just an election year stunt
The Senate’s, and soon to be House’s, passage of SB 1328 to remove the state’s tax on groceries is nothing short of an election-year parlor trick to appeal to voters and needs to be killed.
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Skaggs family wasn’t the only winner
Two years before ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition contacted Ideal Homes, the company offered its services. They were turned away. Thank you, Ideal was told, but the show picks the builder on its own.
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Problems will continue long after funds cut
Lawmakers and mental health workers who are worrying aloud about the loss of inpatient beds and dozens of employees at Norman’s Griffin Hospital say the recent service cuts will lead to long-term community problems.
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GM-Fed relationship new territory
The Toyota recall mess has produced some strange bedfellows. Toyota is struggling to regain consumer confidence at the same time General Motors has ramped up its sales efforts.
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It’s easier to be green
