Support Tenuous, Process Slowed For Speaking Rock

EL PASO — It wasa mixed day Monday in Austin for those hoping to get gambling back at Speaking Rock Casino in the Lower Valley.

None of the news was definitive, but if you read between the lines some of the news is good some of it’s not so good.

First, a bill filed by Rep. Norma Chávez, D-El Paso, that would create a legal protection for those that allow gambling was “left pending” in subcommittee.

That means this bill didn’t immediately get the support it needed to get sent up immediately to the full committee.

Also Monday, there were cautious signs of support from Rep. Valinda Bolton, D-Oak Hill, who met with Tigua women over concerns shesaidthreatened her support of the gaming bill.

“They are bright, accomplished, articulate women who really did an excellent job of conveying their tradition,” she told newspapertree.com. “I think I realize it is a lot more complex than I … appreciated.”