NJ lawmakers introduce horse racing bill
Two lawmakers introduced a bill that would provide more money to support the horse racing industry.
US.- New Jersey is seeking new ways to help the horse racing industry, this time by introducing a measure to provide US$20 million from the state’s general fund to increase the purse money at horse racing tracks in the state.
Racetracks have been economically struggling for quite some time, as casino subsidies ended in 2010, said Assemblyman John Burzichelli, and added that the recently legalised sports betting industry might not be enough to make the racetracks competitive with the ones in New York and Pennsylvania, which have casinos.
“We’ll see how the sports betting stuff really works out, what kind of number it brings us. Hopefully, it brings us a good number,” he said. “Maybe by that time, we have a full discussion on this issue, and maybe we don’t have to do this level of subsidy.”
State Senator Vin Gopal added: “So much of our economy is at stake here. We have spent public dollars on economic improvement, whether it’s tax credits, whether it’s tax abatement. I see this as another form.” Gopal said that he has discussed the issue with the governor, Senate president and Assembly speaker and that they’re all open to the idea.
