It has been reported that a coalition of roughly 1,000 breeders, owners and trainers in Pennsylvania have collectively spoken out against the budget of Governor Tom Corbett, which calls for the re-allocation of $216 million from the Race Horse Development Fund to the state's general fund over a three-year span

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“In one fell swoop, the governor’s budget cut will decimate the progress made by the industry in attracting new businesses and preserving open space, creating jobs, and providing health care benefits for Pennsylvanians," an article by the Philadelphia Business Journal has quoted Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association Executive Director Todd Mostoller as saying.

“Now we are looking at a roughly $120 million loss in the 2012-2013 fiscal year,” Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association Executive Director Ron Batoni was quoted as saying.

“That means a significant decrease in purses, which are used to pay everyone from blacksmiths to veterinarians to stable hands. Trainers and owners who brought their horses and businesses to Pennsylvania with the expectation of competing for a certain level of purses are going to pull up stakes and make their investments elsewhere. Sadly, they won’t be back because they are not going to have any faith or trust in our elected officials.”

(With files from the Philadelphia Business Journal)