"Suggestion to lawmakers in Austin: Here's a way cities get needed projects, but the money doesn't come out of taxpayers' pockets. If casino gambling is allowed on Texas Indian reservations, and at Texas horse tracks, then each casino site must designate a percentage of the take to a project local legislators seek from the state budget.

In El Paso, the Tigua tribe could set a pre-set dollar figure from its take, and that money would go to fund the third building sought by Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. That's one example.

Of course, the Indian tribes and the tracks would also be required to pay other taxes to the state. As an example, a percentage of money taken in by the Texas Lottery goes to fund public education.

Not only could allowing casino gambling help fund needed projects, it is proven that it provides a boon to local economies. When Speaking Rock Casino was in full operation, it provided some 800 casino-related jobs in El Paso. The economic impact on El Paso was estimated to be $60 million a year."

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Editorial: Innovative funding: Let casinos pay for projects (The El Paso Times 4/1)