On Monday (Dec. 10), the New Jersey Senate’s Budget and Appropriations Committee advanced proposed horse racing support legislation by a vote of 13-0.
The proposed legislation will provide a $20 million subsidy to New Jersey’s horse racing industry, to be divided equally between the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries. The state's funding would benefit not just racetracks, but everyone involved in racing.
"The horse racing industry has had a long road to recovery, and we feel this purse supplement money, as well as the ability to enter into agreements with sports book operators at the racetracks, would provide a necessary shot of adrenaline into the horse racing industry," AJ Sabath, a lobbyist representing the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, told the committee before the vote.
"This will be a huge help for the horse racing industry that is an important part of New Jersey's heritage and culture and a key source of jobs and economic activity," one of the legislation’s sponsors, Sen. Vin Gopal, said via statement. "There are tens of thousands of jobs impacted directly or indirectly by the racing industry, including the long-term survival of Monmouth Racetrack."
Via release, the SBOANJ stated that itself and TrotPac have been and will continue to work with AJ Sabath on behalf of New Jersey horsepeople to see the legislation through to the end.
(With files from the SBOANJ and politicopro.com)