September 1, 2015 2:41 PM

Appropriations Chairman is hopeful Racing Commission standoff can be resolved in the next few days

Rep. Otto said has not heard from Gov. Abbott, who would have to be involved under the temporary fix floated by the Senate; meantime, horse racing interests want a public LBB meeting on the issue

Now that the Texas Racing Commission – along with the race tracks it regulates – has shut down amid a standoff revolving around the agency’s funding and a type of gambling known as “historical racing,” the chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee tells Quorum Report he is hopeful the dispute can be resolved in a day or two.

Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, said he’s not quite sure what all is involved in the Texas Senate’s proposal to allow the agency to move money within its budget so that it can stay open for three months. But, Otto was certain Gov. Greg Abbott would have to sign off on the shifting of funds proposed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other Senate officials.

As of midnight Tuesday, the agency closed its doors and notified race track operators they would have to shut down as well.

Nearly 40,000 Texans work at those tracks.

By Scott Braddock