The Nation - News from Sept. 2, 1986

The Texas Senate sent to Gov. Mark White a bill to repeal a statewide ban on parimutuel betting established in 1937, paving the way for gambling on horse and dog racing. The legislation includes a provision to put the question on the general election ballot in November, 1987, a provision White had demanded in any racing legislation. The state would share in the profits of parimutuel gambling, though the exact formula has not been worked out. The Legislature has been meeting in special session to discuss solutions to the state’s fiscal crisis, which stems largely from declining oil revenues.