Hialeah Park probably will begin Quarter Horse racing in 2010 only if the Florida Legislature makes three major changes in state racing laws, the track's owner John Brunetti said April 15.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A California state senator has introduce legislation seeking real-time monitoring of pari-mutuel wagering, a move prompted by a high-profile technology glitch involving last year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Monday, March 09, 2009
Some Texas lawmakers are trying again to establish Las Vegas-style casinos in the state, and they say now is the time to do it because the state needs the money. Racetracks would be included, according to legislation unveiled Feb. 24.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A Kentucky lawmaker has introduced legislation that would impose a 3.5% tax on out-of-state advance deposit wagering companies that take bets from Kentucky residents.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association is circulating a petition asking the General Assembly to support legislation to authorize video lottery terminals at racetracks in the state.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A Kentucky lawmaker is preparing racing-related legislation with a primary goal of funding the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, equine drug testing, and supplements for purses and stakes at the state's racetracks.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Legislation authorizing a pari-mutuel tax break for a racetrack that hosts the Breeders' Cup World Championships has been pre-filed for the 2009 Kentucky General Assembly session.
Monday, December 29, 2008
The Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 is a double-edge sword. And the debate over whether it should be amended continues.
Friday, December 12, 2008
As hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from slot machines flows to horse racing, there is growing sentiment that perhaps the racing industry is failing to capitalize on the new wealth by solely pumping money into purses and breed development programs.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
An Ohio lawmaker whose district includes River Downs said Nov. 26 he plans to introduce legislation in 2009 for casino-style gaming that would support the horse racing and breeding in the state.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Legislation that would require racetracks to submit detailed daily reports on pari-mutuel handle and attendance, and various parties to submit racehorse injury reports, has been pre-filed for the 2009 session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Support for a proposed national strategic plan for equine welfare and safety and other reforms will be sought Sept. 12 when the National Thoroughbred Racing Association brings together industry representatives for discussion and -- it hopes -- commitment to action.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Legislation that would eliminate the automatic 25% federal withholding on pari-mutuel winnings of $5,000 or more on wagers of at least 300-1 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives July 29.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Texas Thoroughbred Association executive director David Hooper addressed the Greater Houston Horse Council July 21 in an effort to garner support for a new breed coalition, Texas Horse Organizations for Racing, Showing and Eventing, which is known as Texas HORSE.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The bipartisan Joint Subcommittee on Horse Farming, which meets periodically when the Kentucky General Assembly isn't in session, has made strides in educating lawmakers on the importance and scope of Kentucky's horse industry. And the challenges for the industry won't go away.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The New York Senate approved a bill June 23 that would establish a testing program for steroids in racehorses via horsemen's contributions.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Drugged equines, grisly catastrophic breakdowns, greedy breeders, damaged racehorses with nowhere to go, inaction and confusion, and industry leaders more concerned with holding onto power than doing the right thing -- a congressional subcommittee heard it all June 19 during a hearing in Washington, D.C.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives voted May 22 to override a presidential veto of the 2007 Farm Bill exercised by George W. Bush. As a result, the 2007 Farm Bill is now law and it includes the Equine Equity Act, a provision that amends the depreciation schedule for racehorses to a uniform three years.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Though their views and actions may at times be considered extreme and bizarre by some, animal rights and welfare groups have a large constituency, have proven effective at making their point, and shouldn't be disregarded when they seize on an issue, officials said.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
The "Smarty slots" in Pennsylvania have been jingling for more than a year. In Kentucky, where the racing industry views Pennsylvania as a major threat, casino legislation broke from the gate in a tangle yet again this year.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Earle I. Mack, who led the push for pending auction reform legislation in Florida, has come out in support of a strong policy statement recently released by the Thoroughbred Owners of California regarding horse sales.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Gaming expansion, including authorization for slot machines at racetracks, appears to have been left at the starting gate once again in the Illinois General Assembly.
Friday, January 11, 2008
The question of whether state legislators should become more involved in pari-mutuel pricing and distribution continues to be asked, and at this point, there doesn't appear to be an answer--at least a definitive one.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
The United States Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill Dec. 14 by a vote of 79 to 14. Included in the legislation is the Equine Equity Act, which would reduce the capital gains holding period for horses from two years to one and accelerate and make uniform the depreciation for racehorses over a three-year period.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
The Ohio horse industry, in an effort to make its voice heard around the Buckeye State, has formed a coalition similar to the Kentucky Equine Education Project, a horse industry advocacy group in Kentucky.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Two separate pieces of legislation passed by both houses of the California legislature and signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger provide for an increase in mount fees for jockeys as well as a contribution to a pension plan for riders.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Preliminary recommendations aimed at self-regulation for the equine auction industry were unveiled by the Sales Integrity Task Force during a public forum held at the Keeneland sales pavilion Oct. 15, but the driving force behind Kentucky legislation seeking reform in the public selling arena quickly voiced displeasure with the suggestions.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Account wagering companies no longer are accepting wagers from Arizona residents due to a law that took effect Sept. 19. Violation of the law is a class six felony, which could mean jail time.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
A legislative attempt to limit the number of horse owners who can serve on the California Horse Racing Board won't become law this year. The measure was left on the state Assembly floor without a vote as the 2007 legislative session came to an end.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Sarah A. Chase is joining the staff of the American Horse Council as the new director of communications for the Washington, D.C.-based organization.
Friday, August 17, 2007
The United States Senate postponed action June 28 on comprehensive immigration reform--perhaps until after the 2008 November election--when an effort to limit debate on the Senate floor failed to garner enough votes.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
The United States Senate voted June 26 to revive broad legislation to overhaul the country's immigration system. The measure was thought to be dead earlier in the month.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
A measure in New York to increase the amount of money Thoroughbred owners pay from purses to the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association has gained legislative approval and now goes to Gov. Eliot Spitzer for his consideration.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has signed legislation that outlaws killing horses for human consumption.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Two congressmen introduced legislation May 4 that would provide injury insurance for jockeys and others who work in horse racing, but last year the proposal was met with stiff resistance from groups in the racing industry.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
The Equine Equity Act, which would reduce the capital gains holding period for horses and allow horse owners to depreciate all racehorses over the same period, has been introduced in the United States Senate.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Slot machines may help purses, but in a competitive environment--even in the same state--they don't guarantee a large horse population if one New York track is any indication.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Kentucky lawmakers differ on the reasons legislation that would have provided stable funding for the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority died during this year's General Assembly session. Meanwhile, a call has gone out for legislators to rally around a push for expanded gambling in the state.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Legislation to authorize casino gambling at Kansas racetracks including The Woodlands, the state's only Thoroughbred track, has passed the House and has moved to the Senate.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Time is running out for legislation that would provide the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority with about $5 million a year and spare racetracks the cost of equine drug testing.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Legislation that would allow slot machines at Indiana's two pari-mutuel racetracks was endorsed by a Senate committee on a 9-3 vote March 20, but there are concerns about a $400-million license fee each track would have to pay for the right to operate slots.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
If West Virginia's governor signs legislation passed by both houses of the state legislature, voters in four counties will decide the fate of table games at four racetracks in the state.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Two Kentucky legislators are asking why the horse industry, which annually contributes $4 billion to the state's economy, won't have broad representation at an upcoming agriculture summit.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Maryland lawmakers again addressed the issue of racetrack slot machines in committee March 6, but passage of legislation is hardly assured.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
The West Virginia Senate March 6 voted to legalize table games at the state's horse and dog racing tracks. The bill, which already passed the House of Delegates, must return there for concurrence.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Legislation to authorize casino gambling at racetracks and non-racing facilities has been introduced again in the Kentucky House of Representatives.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Legislation to authorize slot machines at Indiana's two pari-mutuel racetracks has cleared a second House committee.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
The Kentucky Equine Education Project is pushing legislation that would remove the sales tax on equine feed and supplies in the state.
Monday, February 19, 2007
The West Virginia House of Delegates has approved legislation that would allow the counties in which four racetracks are located to vote on table games at the facilities, which already have video lottery terminals.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Kentucky tracks would get a tax break for one major racing event per year under legislation introduced in the state General Assembly.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
