S&P Downgrades the City of Conroe’s Credit Rating a Second Time Due to City Council’s Failed Hyatt Hotel Project
Is Conroe City Council trying to slide corporate casino gambling into our community as a solution to their self-inflicted economic disaster?
May 19, 2024 | Commentary
Three current Conroe City council members have made some very expensive decisions for the citizens of Conroe. Without going into the discussion of, “government has no business in owning and operating a hotel” (which they don’t, but that is a story for another time), one must ask, what is the reason behind these decisions?
In the arguments over who signed what and when (oath of office), and who voted for what (feasibility study for hotel or actual vote for hotel), there is a much more sinister specter on the horizon for citizens of Conroe.
Las Vegas Sands Targeting Montgomery County
There is an increasing awareness that the Las Vegas Sands Corporation (corporate casino gambling) is hard at work to place a casino in Montgomery County. Conroe is close to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, we are business friendly, we are just north of the fourth largest city in America, we have a young work force, and many other great traits which are ripe for the winnings of casino gambling owners.
While the Republican Party staunchly opposes corporate gambling, the outgoing Montgomery County Chairman, Bryan Christ, is advocating for it. Jim Fredricks, Montgomery County’s former Chief of Staff for the County Judge, is advocating for casino gambling as well. It is no coincidence that money from the Sands Corporation is flowing into Montgomery County political ads, texts, and hit pieces against Conservative Republicans.
There is a serious concern that the failed Hyatt experiment will be used as a bargaining chip to expedite the need for corporate gambling in Conroe. Moreover, the Sands Corporation seems to be looking to help political leaders get elected who will, in a tit for tat backroom deal, help them get casino gambling in Texas. Sands has made payments in a possible attempt to buy influence from some of these political leaders.
While many people do not oppose a friendly game of cards amongst friends, corporate gambling is an entirely different animal. The citizens of Montgomery County must resolutely stand against casino gambling in Texas and our county. The legislature would have to change Texas law. But before that, the Montgomery County Commissioners Court could institute a trigger law that if Texas ever legalizes gambling, Montgomery County will prohibit it from occurring here.
Every location in America that allows legalized corporate gambling casinos soon suffers from economic blight just a dice throw or two away from “the strip.” In addition, corporate interests flood money into these communities to root out Republican leadership that fights back against casino gambling, turning these areas “blue.” Montgomery County has been standing in the gap to keep Texas “red.” RINO/Uniparty Republicans who support gambling in our county and state are moving us one step closer to Democrat leadership in Texas.
With the self-inflicted economic disaster created by three of the current Conroe City Council members, these same members could now claim to have a solution for the problem which they created. Their solution — a Sands Casino in our own community.
When corporate casino gambling provides complimentary free rooms (Hyatt Hotel) in a community, it packs prostitution, drugs, alcohol, and human trafficking in its luggage. And for those thinking, “What happens in Conroe, stays in Conroe,” you are wrong. This economic blight will affect all of Montgomery County.
It’s Time for New Leadership
Do your research. Conroe needs council members who will work to keep Conroe the great city that it is. We do not want to be Houston with runaway developers and real estate brokers placing profits above the people. We need public servants who will offer leadership and will defend taxpayers from any further bad financial decisions. In 2020, Conroe citizens were $1,100 per citizen in debt. Four years later, Conroe citizens are $5,200 per citizen in debt. This is a 500% increase in only four years. And this is the driver behind Conroe’s credit rating being dropped a second time. It is time for new leadership in Conroe.
Please make plans to vote in the June 15 Runoff Election for Conroe Mayor and City Council Place 1 and Place 2.