Horse racing in Maryland, of both breeds, has been buffeted in recent years, and now comes a proposal from legislative delegate Luiz R. S. Simmons, to take away the $100 million racing might receive from slots and give the money to the state’s general fund.
There is no indication the bill, which Simmons says he intends to introduce, will go anywhere in a racing state like Maryland, but it illustrates the fragility of racing and the dangers inherent in a system where the sport lives and dies by legislative fiat.
“Groups better wake up and understand there is nothing written in stone about the $100 million for Maryland horses,” Simmons said, saying he found it “incomprehensible” to give $100 million to what he called “a moribund industry” that he says offers dead-end jobs without health care benefits.
He plans to introduce his plan as an amendment to a tax bill, avoiding committee discussion that he admits would kill the motion.
(Harness Tracks of America)
This is just the start the
This is just the start the politicians have a lower opinion of the racing industry than those who are in it(and theirs is justifiably low). They think the slot revenue can be better used elsewhere(schools,hospitals,etc)and the public will gladly support them in that effort!!