Kentucky Sen. Damon Thayer, also an executive with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Breeders' Cup, has been appointed Senate chairman of the state Task Force on Economic Development.
Thursday, July 22, 2004The Kentucky equine industry, for the first time, will be the focus of a September meeting of the state General Assembly's Interim Joint Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, legislators announced July 14.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004A grassroots educational endeavor launched only two months ago in Kentucky already has raised $1 million and is well on the way of meeting its goal of $1.5 million by the end of the year.
Thursday, July 08, 2004The Kentucky Equine Education Project received another vote of confidence June 4 when the board of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders contributed $100,000 to KEEP, which was launched in early May.
Monday, June 07, 2004In a strong display of solidarity, more than 600 members of the horse industry packed the visitors' center at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington May 26 for the first town hall meeting held by the Kentucky Equine Education Project. Several participants said they were blown away by the turnout.
Thursday, May 27, 2004The Kentucky Equine Education Alliance launched May 5 with an ambitious agenda of educating the state residents on the importance of the horse industry to the economy. To say the plan was well-received would be an understatement, as more than 100 people--including 14 legislators--were on hand for a press conference.
Wednesday, May 05, 2004The Kentucky Equine Education Alliance on May 5 will officially launch a grassroots effort to educate the public on the importance of the $4-billion horse industry to the state's economy.
Monday, May 03, 2004Prominent owners and breeders in Kentucky are putting together a coalition whose mission will be to educate the public and members of the state legislature on the importance of the horse industry.
Wednesday, April 21, 2004Legislation to authorize creation of an international wagering hub was passed by the Kentucky House of Representatives April 13, final day of the 2004 regular General Assembly session.
Wednesday, April 14, 2004The Kentucky racing industry's next chance to win approval for a constitutional amendment on racetrack casinos will come in 2006, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association said in a letter to members.
Wednesday, March 31, 2004A Senate-approved plan to authorize creation of a multi-jurisdictional wagering hub in Kentucky was shot down by the House of Representatives March 29.
Tuesday, March 30, 2004The Kentucky Senate March 26 passed three-prong legislation that authorizes creation of an international wagering hub, paves the way for live Quarter Horse racing, and gives Standardbred racetracks a tax break.
Friday, March 26, 2004An amendment to require the new 13-member Kentucky Horse Racing Authority to have no more than seven members of the same political party isn't expected to thwart Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher's plans, a state senator said March 25.
Thursday, March 25, 2004Legislation to authorize wagering hubs in Kentucky was introduced in the state Senate in early March and is moving through the legislative process as an amendment to a bill that would permit artificially inseminated horses to race in Kentucky. A hub measure was introduced in 2002 but it failed to garner support.
Thursday, March 25, 2004Kentucky legislators have left open the possibility expanded gambling could be revisited in the future, but they claim greed and resistance by the horse racing and breeding industry put a casino bill on the shelf for the 2004 session. Industry officials disagree with that perspective.
Wednesday, March 10, 2004Disagreement between the horse racing industry and a legislator has put casino legislation in Kentucky in a tenuous position for the current session.
Tuesday, March 09, 2004Former Kentucky Governor and Airdrie Stud owner Brereton Jones called for an amendment to the state's constitution allowing for full-scale casino gambling only at the state's eight racetracks Thursday evening while addressing the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club. The plan differs from one discussed earlier in the week by state legislators that would allow for casinos at racetrack and non-racetrack locations.
Friday, February 13, 2004By Ray Paulick -- Kentucky legislators can't learn everything about the horse business in the few weeks that remain before the session deadline to file bills. It requires professional lobbyists, but it also takes commitment from the rank and file.
Tuesday, February 03, 2004A Kentucky legislator has pre-filed several bills for the 2004 General Assembly session, including one that would authorize electronic gaming devices at racetracks, and another that calls for a constitutional amendment on the subject.
Tuesday, December 02, 2003A bloodstock agent, a trainer, and an auction company representative told Kentucky legislators during a Nov.12 subcommittee hearing at the state capitol that the 6% sales tax charged to Kentucky residents on horse purchases should be repealed and that purses distributed at Kentucky racetracks needs to grow along with other states if Kentucky expects to remain the central point of the Thoroughbred industry.
Wednesday, November 12, 2003The dean of the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky told several Kentucky lawmakers the school's Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center is overburdened and under-funded.
Thursday, October 09, 2003Representatives of Kentucky businesses that derive substantial revenue from the horse industry told state legislators Sept. 10 the health of the Thoroughbred breeding industry and their bottom lines are closely linked.
Wednesday, September 10, 2003Thoroughbred breeders told Kentucky legislators Aug. 21 the state must step up and offer assistance if its signature industry is to stabilize and grow in years to come.
Friday, August 22, 2003There's still more than four months until the Kentucky General Assembly meets, but Sen. Damon Thayer has prefiled three bills, two of which are designed to save horse breeders and farmers money.
Wednesday, August 20, 2003With an economic impact pegged at about $3.4 billion, the equine industry has been called the most important in Kentucky. Some legislators would like to keep it healthy--even help it grow--but they've acknowledged they don't have all the answers.
Wednesday, June 18, 2003Kentucky's equine industry will be the focus June 18 when the recently formed Subcomittee on Horse Farming of the Interim Joint Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources holds its first meeting.
Sunday, June 15, 2003For the first time in Kentucky history, there will be a legislative subcommittee that will regularly address issues that affect the horse breeding and racing industry in the state.
Monday, May 19, 2003With legislation to authorize racetrack gaming apparently dead during the current legislative session in Kentucky, the racing industry is expected to begin another campaign well before the 2004 session begins.
Friday, February 28, 2003Kentucky racetrack operators made their case Feb. 21 for the right to operate electronic gaming devices, but the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee postponed action on the legislation pending review of how the state's share of revenue would be spent.
Thursday, February 20, 2003Legislation to authorize electronic gaming devices at Kentucky racetracks was introduced Feb. 18 with a new twist: The tracks have offered to pay hundreds of millions of dollars up front to help the state tackle its lingering budget crisis as long as they get exclusive rights to gaming in the marketplace.
Wednesday, February 19, 2003A look at the financial dealings of the multimillion-dollar Kentucky Health and Welfare Fund, a benevolence organization that already has been the subject of a review by the Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts, will continue later this year, legislators said during a Feb. 12 hearing.
Wednesday, February 12, 2003Kentucky's leadership role in breeding excellence may be slipping and too many of the state's legislators fail to understand the importance of the state's Thoroughbred industry, how it works, and who it represents.
Tuesday, January 14, 2003A Kentucky legislator plans to introduce a bill for racetrack-based gaming, but he said the state might have to look to casino gambling at locations other than tracks in the future.
Wednesday, January 08, 2003Damon Thayer, vice president of Breeders' Cup and event marketing for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, has filed a letter of intent with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance as a "future year candidate" for Kentucky Senate District 17.
Wednesday, August 21, 2002Legislation to authorize electronic gaming devices at Kentucky's eight racetracks cleared the House Licensing and Occupations Committee by a 9-5 vote March 18 and now heads to the full House. When the bill may be heard, though, remains to be seen.
Monday, March 18, 2002Legislation introduced March 4 in the Kentucky House of Representatives would permit multi-jurisdictional simulcasting and interstate wagering hubs in the state. Licenses would be available to facilities that conduct live racing in Kentucky.
Tuesday, March 05, 2002Racing industry officials in Kentucky met for a few hours the evening of Feb. 18 to wrap up loose ends on legislation that would authorize video lottery terminals at racetracks in the state. Officials are tentatively scheduled to meet with leaders in the House of Representatives Feb. 20.
Tuesday, February 19, 2002The same week Kentucky's Thoroughbred racetracks and horsemen agreed on how to divvy up revenue from video lottery terminals or slot machines, a state legislator unveiled a plan for land-based casinos that could be operated by parties other than tracks.
Monday, January 28, 2002Legislators responsible for putting together Kentucky's budget said Wednesday lawmakers should consider alternative gaming at the state's racetracks for two reasons: to aid the equine industry and generate much-needed revenue for the state.
Thursday, November 15, 2001Kentucky legislators, seemingly receptive to the plight of the state's horse racing and breeding industry, indicated a willingness Friday to consider any proposal for assistance as long as the industry is on the same page. At a committee hearing in Frankfort, Ky., the issue of alternative gaming came up at least indirectly, and no one flinched.
Friday, September 14, 2001