The Texas House of Representatives approved a bill that will change reporting procedures for charitable organizations’ bingo proceeds. Proponents of the bill say that the bill will tighten up standards for reporting to the legislature, while also allowing bingo organizations to control costs and providing a more efficient system for tracking proceeds. One of the main articles in the bill states that bingo groups will no longer have to pay their taxes as a cut of each bingo purchase, but rather as a fraction of their total receipts.
Opponents of the bill are skeptical, saying that they are not sure that the charitable organizations will see any additional funds as a result of the bill. State Representative Burt Solomons is concerned about the clause which would allow new bingo halls to apply for a license without giving public notice. The bill’s author, Representative Ismael "Kino" Flores dismissed this concern, saying that the community would still be informed and, of course, still have the right to complain about a license.
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