| Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz said Senate Republicans won't agree to expand tribal gambling. Schulz said the gaming expansion also would have authorized sports betting if a current federal ban were lifted by the U.S. Congress. "I think we have too much gambling going on in this state. I think it's too accessible," said Schulz, R-Altus. "I think we have people who are spending milk and bread money in a casino rather than taking care of their kids." Senate Majority Floor Leader Greg Treat criticized Inman for unveiling his plan for a tribal gaming expansion with just three weeks remaining in the legislative session. "We're sitting here on May 8, and this is the first we've heard of this deal," said Treat, R-Oklahoma City. "Leader Inman has continued to move the goal posts. We stand ready to pass the revenue to fill the hole, and we don't need some gimmick of a last-minute gaming or gambling to get us there." Meanwhile, House and Senate budget committees on Monday approved several revenue measures, including a bill to increase the tax on cigarettes by $1.50 per pack that would generate more than $200 million annually in dedicated funding for health care. Sean Murphy of the AP posted a full report, here... |  |
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