Jay Hickey, racing’s guardian in Washington from his post as president of the American Horse Council, has issued a warning that racing needs to be vigilant with a new new cost-cutting Congress in action

.

“Congress will be looking for ways to raise much-needed revenue and the horse industry must be vigilant to ensure that such revenue is not raised unfairly at its expense,” said Hickey

He said working on a bipartisan basis with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle is important, since the horse industry’s legislative concerns don’t break along partisan lines.

Hickey said the AHC’s Congressional Cavalry will welcome both the new and returning members and explain the importance of the horse industry to the nation’s economic, agricultural, sporting and recreational life.

He stated that horses have a $112 billion impact on the economy and support 1.5 million jobs. Every state is involved, with 45 of them having more than 20,000 horses.

It’s important, Hickey said, that the 112th Congress recognizes that.

(Harness Tracks of America)