New York Governor David Paterson has announced that his office is working on a new bill to save the New York

Racing Association.

The new bill, designed to provide between $17 million and $25 million to NYRA to save its Belmont and Saratoga meetings for the summer, could be introduced by next Monday, either as its own or as part of a budget extension, according to a story by Albany Times Union’s James M. Odato and Leigh Hornbeck.

Paterson was quoted as saying, “lawmakers haven’t committed to it, but we have it ready. I think they’ll pass it.”

Paterson said New York State will not allow horse racing tracks go dark.

Charles Hayward, president of NYRA, said $20 million was needed to save the summer classic meetings, a figure he called “a small amount given the $90 million NYRA and OTB pay in taxes and fees to the state each year.”

(Harness Tracks of America)