HorsePac: An UnHoly Alliance of Pro-Slaughter Equine Industrialists

In this loosley disguised "HorseSlaughterPac," you will "meet the money" behind the campaigns to keep horse slaughter going; this is what we are up against in Congress.

Message from the president

March 11, 2008

Horse PAC enjoyed its widest support in 2007. With receipts of $347,604 in 2007, Horse PAC ended the year with $490,793 in cash on hand. A record 221 NTRA members contributed to the PAC this year. We thank them for their constancy and support.

The Horse PAC Board also welcomed four new Directors during 2007: George B. Bolton, Marc W. Dunbar, Robert S. Evans and J. Kenneth Luke, bringing the total number of directors to 18 for 2007. Horse PAC may have up to 25 Board members.

Horse PAC disbursements in 2007 were $294,500, a record for a non-election year. The PAC supported 10 of the "freshmen" Members elected at the start of the 2006/2007 Congressional cycle and in all, supported 84 individual candidates from 34 states.

The PAC’s most important determinant for giving remains a candidate’s Committee membership. Horse PAC’s support was spread across key committees that oversee the pari-mutuel horse racing and breeding industries, including Agriculture, Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means, Finance, Homeland Security and Judiciary.

Reaffirming Horse PAC’s mission to support only Federal political candidates and parties at the Congressional level, the Board of Directors in 2007 unanimously passed a resolution barring Horse PAC contributions to United States Presidential candidates.

As we look forward to 2008, we anticipate yet another season of growth for Horse PAC, which continues to be the largest gaming PAC after just five and a half years of operations.

With an election year upon us and a number of key legislative issues still to be addressed in the 110th Congress, we expect an active year on multiple fronts in Washington, D.C. A summary of our key legislative issues and activities in 2007 appears on pages 15 through 18 of this report.

We encourage you to keep abreast of our efforts on Capitol Hill by visiting our Web site, www.SupportHorseRacing.org. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hendershot

Horse PAC President

Table of Contents

Message from the PAC President..................................1

Board of Directors ................................................................2

About Horse PAC ................................................................3

Receipts ......................................................................................4

Contributors...............................................................................5

Disbursements ........................................................................7

Legislative Summary.............................................................15





2007 horse pacboard of directors

In 2006, the by-laws of Horse PAC were amended to allow up to 25 members on the Board of Directors. Directors are appointed by the PAC President. The 2007 Horse PAC Board consisted of:

William S. Farish, Jr., Chairman

Antony Beck

George B. Bolton

Case Clay

Laura A. D’Angelo

Marc W. Dunbar

Robert Elliston

Robert S. Evans

Tracy Farmer

Terrence P. Finley

Lucy Young Hamilton

John C. Harris

F. Jack Liebau, Jr.

J. Kenneth Luke

Wilhelmina McEwan

Terence J. Meyocks

Anne W. Poulson

Joseph V. Shields, Jr.

Alexander M. Waldrop

NTRA President and CEO, ex officio

Peggy Hendershot

President & Treasurer

Barbara Fossum

Assistant Treasurer





about horse pac

Horse PAC is the Federal Political Action Committee (PAC) of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). The Committee was activated in 2002 to promote and facilitate the accumulation of voluntary contributions from members of the NTRA and its subsidiaries and affiliates, for the support of political parties and candidates for elective office in the United States. The Committee is dedicated to the support of candidates who have taken responsible positions on issues involving the Thoroughbred racing industry. As a multi-issue PAC, the Committee gives strategic support to federal political candidates who:

• Serve on Congressional committees that oversee livestock and agricultural issues, Internet gaming, taxation, immigration and the Interstate Horseracing Act

• Are established leaders and control Congressional leadership PACs

• Endorse tax legislation benefiting race horse owners, breeders, players and businesses

• Have racetracks, breeding farms, training centers and other equine venues in their districts

• Are members of the Congressional Horse Caucus

• Are emerging leaders meriting "early support"

Key Congressional Committees for the Thoroughbred Industry



Committee
House/Senate
Issue(s)

Agriculture
House and Senate
Livestock, equine identification, Farm Bill

Appropriations
House and Senate
Bills serve as vehicles for other provisions

Banking
Senate
Internet gaming

Senate
Interstate Horseracing Act; general oversight for professional sports, including medication issues

Energy & Commerce
House
Interstate Horseracing Act; general oversight for professional sports, including medication issues

Finance
Senate
Taxes and trade

Financial Services
House
Taxes and trade

Homeland Security
House and Senate
Security for major racing events; anti-terrorism measures affecting consumers; immigration

Judiciary
House and Senate
Internet gaming, immigration

Ways & Means
House
Taxes and trade


Commerce, Science & Technology





receipts

From inception through December 31, 2007, Horse PAC has raised $1,842,970. The committee raised $731,724 for the 2003/04 election cycle and $724,538 for the 2005/06 election cycle.

Horse PAC Annual Receipts, 2002-007

In 2007 Horse PAC continued to lead all gaming PACs by receipts.

gaming pacs receipts





2007 Horse PAC Contributors

Champions – $5,000

Josephine E. Abercrombie

Lee & Carmen Ackerley

John W. Amerman

Craig Bandoroff

Ramona Seeligson Bass

Angela Levy Beck

Bill & Susan Casner

Case B. Clay

Robert & Blythe Clay

CTBA PAC

Adele B. Dilschneider

C. Steven Duncker

Robert S. Evans

Sarah S. Farish

William S. Farish, Jr.

William S. Farish, Sr.

Mr. & Mrs. Tracy Farmer

Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Ford

Mr. & Mrs. William Hamilton

Seth Hancock

Debbie Hancock

John C. Harris

William Heiligbrodt

R.D. Hubbard

E.J & Lynne Hudson, Jr.

G. Watts Humphrey, Jr.

Brereton Jones

Dr. Gary B. Knapp

Beverly Lewis

F. Jack Liebau, Sr.

Maureen O. Luke

J. Kenneth Luke

Wilhelmina McEwan

Robert McNair

Ogden M. Phipps

Arthur F. Preston

Michael L. Rankowitz

Satish & Anne Sanan

Ronald J. Sellitto

Joseph V. Shields, Jr.

Mace Siegel

Samantha Siegel

Smithfield Foods, Inc. PAC

Stuart & Anita Subotnick

William T. Young, Jr.

Winners – $,500 - $4,999

Ron Crockett

Martin Cunningham

Hugh A. Fitzsimons, Jr.

E.K. Gaylord

Helen K. Groves

Waddell W. Hancock, II

Elizabeth Jones

Robert V. LaPenta

Jeffrey & Margery Lewis

Carl F. Pollard

James & Mary Treptow

Robert B. Trussell, Jr.

Alexander M. Waldrop

Randy Zeller

Leaders – $1,000 - $,499

Gregory C. Avioli

Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Barber

Mrs. John Bell, III

Bob Bork

Nicholas Brady

James C. Brady

Mr. & Mrs. Chester Broman, Sr.

Darrell & Lendy Brown

John Brooks

Alexander G. Campbell

Thomas Clark

Deborah A. Easter

Lee R. Einsidler

Robert N. Elliston

Terrence & Debbie Finley

David C. Fogg

Mr. & Mrs. Mustapha Fostock

Thomas Gaines

Martha F. Gerry

Thomas Henrion

Ian Highet

Richard C. Imbert

Barry Irwin

Charles Kidder

John K. Leonard

Mr. & Mrs. Tom Ludt

Robert Manfuso

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Matz

Kiaran McLaughlin

James & Lisa Means

Terence J. Meyocks

Jerry Moss

Mr. & Mrs. Nick Nicholson

Phillip T. O’Hara

Paul Oreffice

John C. Oxley

Raymond Paulick

Robert Penchina

Nancy Polk

Daniel M. Rosenberg

Paul Saylor

Barry K. Schwartz

Fred Seitz

Michael & Lyn Shanley

James Squires

Beverly Steinman

Robert J. Terry

Stella Ferguson Thayer

Elizabeth Valando

D.G. Van Clief, Jr.

Peter S. Willmott

David & Holly Wilson

Jack Wolf





2007 Horse PAC Contributors

Supporters – Up To - $999

Stephen & Laura Avakian

Stephen J. Barberino, Jr.

John H. Barr

Ruth Bedford

Theodore J. Berge

Stacy S. Berge

Gary Biszantz

Frank Bonsal, Jr.

Peter Bradley

Niall Brennan

Bob R. Brooks

J. Mark Burton

Thomas Capehart

Keith E. Card

Keith Chamblin & Laura D’Angelo

Mrs. Roy Chapman

Ellen MacNeille Charles

Sherwood Chillingworth

Cindy Clark

Catesby W. Clay

Mark Corrado

Brian Culnan

Douglas Dean

Marvin Delfiner

David & Christy DiPietro

M.E. Dowell

Mr. & Mrs. Charles DuBose

Christopher Elser

William Entenmann

Tom Evans

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Feldman

Brent & Crystal Fernung

Joseph Flara

Rob & Jolene Fullerton

Jim D. Gallagher

Elbridge T. Gerry, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Curtis Green

F. William Gue

Emory A. Hamilton

Vern Heath

Margaret Hendershot

Carolyn Hine

Neil Howard

Bruce Hundley

Robert G. Irvin

Jim D. Jackson

Annie Jones

Bill Justice

Syl Kiger

Caesar P. Kimmel

Patricia A. Klussman

Theodore Kuster

David L. Kyger

John & Louise Lally

William & Sally Landes

Louisa Lenehan

Lara Levine

Bertram Linder

W. Bruce Lunsford

Willliam Maley

Frank Mansell

Dr. Merritt W. Marrs, Jr.

Jaqueline Badger Mars

Tony Metaxas

A. Stevens Miles, Jr.

Maurleen V. Miller

MacKenzie Miller

John & Susan Moore

Mark Moran

Edmund Mudge, IV

Joanne R. Mummert

Frances Myers

John Nash

John A. Nerud

Howard C. Nolan, Jr.

William Parsons, Jr.

John W. Phillips

James A. Philpott, Jr.

Cynthia Phipps

Todd & Tracy Pletcher

Kjell H. Qvale

Dr. David Richardson

Dr. Jack K. Robbins

Josh Rubinstein

Andrew Sauve

Chris Scherf

Peter G. Schiff

Mitchell L. Schlossman

Allen Schubert

Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Smith

George Strawbridge, Jr.

John Stuart

John M. Sullivan, Jr.

Ted Taylor

Peter Van Andel

Dr. Glen C. Warren

Wheelock Whitney

Ward Williford

Henry A. Zeitlin

ntra advantage

Contributors to Horse PAC are eligible for significant savings on nationally known products like John Deere, Sherwin-Williams, UPS and more through NTRA Advantage. When you use NTRA Advantage vendors, a portion of your purchase prices goes to support the equine industry. To enjoy the benefits of group purchasing and one-stop buying, call toll-free at (866) 678-4289 or visit www.NTRAadvantage.com.

or visit www.NTRAadvantage.com





2007 Horse PAC Disbursements

Federal Candidates by Amount*



State
Amount
Rank

KY
$37,500
1

CA
$20,500
2

NY
$19,000
3

TX
$15,000
4

AR
$11,000
5

OH
$10,000
6

VA
$9,500
7

MI
$7,500
8

OR
$7,500
9

GA
$7,000
10

LA
$7,000
11

FL
$6,500
12

IA
$6,000
13

TN
$6,000
14

PA
$5,500
15

AL
$5,000
16

MN
$5,000
17

MT
$5,000
18




State
Amount
Rank

ND
$5,000
19

NH
$5,000
20

SC
$5,000
21

IL
$3,500
22

KS
$3,500
23

MS
$3,500
24

UT
$3,500
25

IN
$3,000
26

NJ
$2,500
27

NC
$2,000
28

CO
$1,000
29

ME
$1,000
30

NM
$1,000
31

OK
$1,000
32

SD
$1,000
33

WI
$1,000
34

WY
$1,000
35

Total


$234,500

*Excludes disbursements to political committees that are not associated with individual candidates.





2007 Horse PAC Disbursements

Federal Candidates by State*



State
Amount
Rank

AL
$5,000
16

AR
$11,000
5

CA
$20,500
2

CO
$1,000
29

FL
$6,500
12

GA
$7,000
10

IA
$6,000
13

IL
$3,500
22

IN
$3,000
26

KS
$3,500
23

KY
$37,500
1

LA
$7,000
11

ME
$1,000
30

MI
$7,500
8

MN
$5,000
17

MS
$3,500
24

MT
$5,000
18

NC
$2,000
28




State
Amount
Rank

ND
$5,000
19

NH
$5,000
20

NJ
$2,500
27

NM
$1,000
31

NY
$19,000
3

OH
$10,500
6

OK
$1,000
32

OR
$7,500
9

PA
$5,500
15

SC
$5,000
21

SD
$1,000
33

TN
$6,000
14

TX
$15,000
4

UT
$3,500
25

VA
$9,500
7

WI
$1,000
34

WY
$1,000
35

Total


$234,500

*Excludes disbursements to political committees that are not associated with individual candidates.





2007 Horse PAC Disbursements

Federal Contributions: ($294,500)

Democrats 54 percent ($158,000)

Republicans 46 percent ($136,500)

House Candidates/PACs 66 percent ($195,000)

Senate Candidates/PACs 34 percent ($99,500)

year-by-year pacdisbursements

Total to Date $1,351,000



0

007 Disbursements

The following candidates and political committees received Horse PAC funds in 2007:

United States House of Representatives



House of Reps
State
Re-election Year
2007 Disbursed
Congressional Committee(s)

Artur Davis
D
AL
2008
$2,500
Ways & Means/CBC

Marion Berry
D
AR
2008
$1,000
Appropriations & Budget/Blue Dog Coalition

Mike Ross
D
AR
2008
$2,500
Energy & Commerce/Blue Dog Coalition/Horse Caucus

Dennis Cardoza
D
CA
2008
$5,000
Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition/Horse Caucus

Jim Costa
D
CA
2008
$5,000
Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition

Devin Nunes
R
CA
2008
$2,500
Ways & Means

Loretta Sanchez
D
CA
2008
$1,000
Armed Services/Blue Dog Coalition

Adam Schiff
D
CA
2008
$2,000
Appropriations/Judiciary/Blue Dog Coalition

John Salazar
D
CO
2008
$1,000
Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition

F. Allen Boyd
D
FL
2008
$1,000
Appropriations/Blue Dog Coalition

Tom Feeney
R
FL
2008
$1,000
Financial Services/Judiciary/Horse Caucus

Ric Keller
R
FL
2008
$1,000
Judiciary/Education & Labor/Horse Caucus

Tim Mahoney
D
FL
2008
$1,000
Agriculture/Financial Services/Blue Dog Coalition

Debbie Wasserman Shultz
D
FL
2008
$2,500
Appropriations/Judiciary

John Barrow
D
GA
2008
$1,000
Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition

Jim Marshall
D
GA
2008
$1,000
Finance/Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition

Leonard Boswell
D
IA
2008
$1,000
Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition

Melissa Bean
D
IL
2008
$1,000
Financial Services/Blue Dog Coalition

Joe Donnelly
D
IN
2008
$1,000
Agriculture/Financial Services/Blue Dog Coalition

Brad Ellsworth
D
IN
2008
$1,000
Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition

Baron Hill
D
IN
2008
$1,000
Energy & Commerce/Blue Dog Coalition

Dennis Moore
D
KS
2008
$1,000
Financial Services/Blue Dog Coalition

Ben Chandler
D
KY
2008
$5,000
Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition/Horse Caucus

Geoff Davis
R
KY
2008
$5,000
Financial Services/Horse Caucus

Ron Lewis
R
KY
2008
$10,000
Ways & Means/Horse Caucus






2007 Horse PAC Disbursements

United States House of Representatives ( continued)



House of Reps
State
Re-election Year
2007 Disbursed
Congressional Committee(s)

John Yarmuth
D
KY
2008
$5,000
Education & Labor

Rodney Alexander
R
LA
2008
$1,000
Appropriations/Budget

Charles Boustany, Jr.
R
LA
2008
$1,000
Agriculture

Mike Michaud
D
ME
2008
$1,000
Small Business/Blue Dog Coalition

Dave Camp
R
MI
2008
$2,500
Ways & Means

John Dingell
D
MI
2008
$5,000
Energy & Commerce

Collin Peterson
D
MN
2008
$5,000
Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition/Horse Caucus

Mike McIntyre
D
NC
2008
$1,000
Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition

Heath Shuler
D
NC
2008
$1,000
Appropriations/Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition

Earl Pomeroy
D
ND
2008
$2,500
Agriculture/Ways & Means/Blue Dog Coalition

Frank Pallone
D
NJ
2008
$2,500
Energy & Commerce/Horse Caucus

Steve Pearce
R
NM
2008
$1,000
Financial Serv./Homeland Security/Horse Caucus

Joseph Crowley
D
NY
2008
$5,000
Ways & Means/Foreign Affairs/Horse Caucus

Kirsten Gillibrand
D
NY
2008
$3,500
Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition

John Hall
D
NY
2008
$1,000
Transportation & Infrastructure

Carolyn McCarthy
D
NY
2008
$2,000
Financial Services /Horse Caucus

Charles Rangel
D
NY
2008
$5,000
Ways & Means/CBC

Patrick Tiberi
R
OH
2008
$1,000
Ways & Means/Horse Caucus

Stephanie Tubbs Jones
D
OH
2008
$1,000
Ways & Means/CBC

Charlie Wilson
D
OH
2008
$1,000
Financial Services/Blue Dog Coalition

Dan Boren
D
OK
2008
$1,000
Fin. Serv./Natural Resources/Blue Dog Coalition

Darlene Hooley
D
OR
2008
$2,500
Energy & Commerce

Phil English
R
PA
2008
$2,500
Ways & Means

Tim Holden
D
PA
2008
$1,000
Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition

Patrick Murphy
D
PA
2008
$2,000
Armed Services/Blue Dog Coalition

Stephanie Herseth
D
SD
2008
$1,000
Agriculture/Blue Dog Coalition

Jim Cooper
D
TN
2008
$1,000
Budget/Blue Dog Coalition






2007 Horse PAC Disbursements

United States House of Representatives ( continued)



House of Reps
State
Re-election Year
2007 Disbursed
Congressional Committee(s)

John Tanner
D
TN
2008
$5,000
Ways & Means/Blue Dog Coalition

Sam Johnson
R
TX
2008
$2,500
Ways & Means

Jim Matheson
D
UT
2008
$1,000
Energy & Commerce/Blue Dog Coalition

Rich Boucher
D
VA
2008
$1,000
Energy & Commerce/Judiciary/Horse Caucus

Randy Forbes
R
VA
2008
$1,000
Judiciary

Bob Goodlatte
R
VA
2008
$5,000
Agriculture/Judiciary

Ron Kind
D
WI
2008
$1,000
Ways & Means

DCCC
D
$15,000
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

NRCC
R
$5,000
National Republican Congressional Committee

CBC
D
$5,000
Congressional Black Caucus

Blue Dog Coalition
D
$5,000

Total-House of Reps Candidates/PAC


$162,500





2007 Horse PAC Disbursements

United States Senate



Senate
State
Re-election Year
2007 Disbursed
Congressional Committee(s)

Richard Shelby
R
AL
2010
$2,500
Banking/Appropriations

Mark Pryor
D
AR
2008
$2,500
Commerce

Saxby Chambliss
R
GA
2008
$5,000
Agriculture

Charles Grassley
R
IA
2010
$5,000
Finance/Judiciary/Agriculture

Dick Durbin
D
IL
2008
$2,500
Appropriations/Judiciary

Jim Bunning
R
KY
2010
$2,500
Finance

Pat Roberts
R
KS
2008
$2,500
Agriculture/Ethics/Finance

Thad Cochran
R
MS
2008
$3,500
Appropriations/Agriculture

Max Baucus
D
MT
2008
$5,000
Agriculture

Byron Dorgan
D
ND
2010
$2,500
Homeland Security

John Sununu
R
NH
2008
$5,000
Banking

George Voinovich
R
OH
2010
$2,500
Homeland Security

Lindsey Graham
R
SC
2008
$5,000
Agriculture/Budget/Judiciary

John Cornyn
R
TX
2008
$5,000
Judiciary

John Barrasso
R
WY
2013
$1,000
Energy/Environment/Public Works

DSCC
D
$15,000
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

NRSC
R
$15,000
National Republican Senatorial Committee

Total-Senate


$ 82,000





2007 Horse PAC Disbursements

Federal Leadership PACs



Associated Candidate
State
House/

Senate
2007 Disbursed
PAC

Blanche Lincoln
D
AR
S
$5,000
LINC PAC

Dennis Cardoza
D
CA
H
$5,000
Moderate Victory Fund

Mitch McConnell
R
KY
S
$5,000
Bluegrass Committee

Hal Rogers
R
KY
H
$5,000
HAL PAC

Jim McCrery
R
LA
H
$5,000
Comm for Preservation of Capitalism

Tom Reynolds
R
NY
H
$2,500
TOM PAC

John Boehner
R
OH
H
$5,000
The Freedom Project

Gordon Smith
R
OR
S
$5,000
Impact America

Sam Johnson
R
TX
H
$2,500
Secure America’s Majority

Lamar Smith
R
TX
H
$5,000
Longhorn PAC

Robert Bennett
R
UT
S
$2,500
Snow PAC

Eric Cantor
D
VA
H
$2,500
ERIC PAC

GRAND TOTAL


$50,000

Total Leadership

$ 294,500





2007 Legislative Summary

As the trade association for the Thoroughbred industry, NTRA focuses its lobbying efforts on legislation having direct and material effect on its members and their business activities as they relate to race horse racing, breeding and pari-mutuel wagering.

Key issues for the association include safeguarding the industry’s ability to continue to conduct online pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing as authorized by the Interstate Horseracing Act, and tax issues affecting horse owners, breeders, racetracks and players. Notably in 2007, the association secured passage of the Equine Equity Act as part of the Senate-passed version of the Farm Bill.

In conjunction with the American Horse Council, the NTRA also supports Congressional education programs on general issues – such as agricultural matters and immigration – that affect a broad spectrum of horse owners, breeders and industry personnel.

The NTRA’s 2007 legislative activities are summarized below.

Farm Bill/Equine Equity Act

In 2007, the Equine Equity Act (EEA) provision was successfully attached to the Senate version of the Farm Bill, which passed in early December. The House passed its version of the Farm Bill in late summer. The two bills must now be reconciled in Conference, a process that is likely to begin in early 2008. The combined cost of the EEA – $489 million over 10 years – requires a revenue-raising offset under the current "pay-go" rules. An EEA offset has been identified, completing an important step.

First introduced in the 109th Congress and re-introduced in the 110th Congress, the EEA would lower the capital gains holding period for horses from 24 months to 12 months and accelerate and make uniform the depreciation of race horses from seven years (in most cases) to 36 months over four tax years. EEA remains one of the NTRA’s top tax priorities for the current Congress.





Player Withholding Bill

In 2007, NTRA initiated discussions with key Members regarding legislation to eliminate or substantially increase the threshold for federal tax withholding on pari-mutuel winnings (currently set at $5,000), which places the racing industry at a competitive disadvantage. Other forms of gaming such as poker, casino games and slots, are not subject to withholding. Withholding levels for pari-mutuel winnings were last changed (from $1,000 to $5,000) in 1992. The association will seek new "withholding conformity" legislation in 2008.

Proposed Steroid Legislation

In 2007, the NTRA was contacted by staffers for the House Energy & Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Interstate Horseracing Act, regarding the use of steroids in racehorses. The query was part of a larger investigation into the use of steroids in other sports, notably Major League Baseball. NTRA representatives provided information on the horse industry’s medication rules, drug testing practices and penalties. Legislation aimed at eliminating or controlling steroid usage is in development. The association will continue to monitor legislation and public hearings regarding drug testing in professional sports.

Internet Gaming

Four separate pieces of legislation relating to Internet gaming were introduced in 2007: 1) a proposal for a government-funded study of Internet gaming, introduced by Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV); 2) a bill to regulate Internet gaming, introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA); 3) a bill to tax Internet gaming, introduced by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA); and 4) a bill to expand the definition of what constitutes a "game of skill" that can be played over the Internet, introduced by Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL). All four bills remain stalled at the committee level. State Attorneys General continue to oppose any effort to undermine States’ powers to establish their own gaming laws. NTRA continues to monitor these bills.

2007 Legislative Summary



7

UIGEA Regulations

In 2006, Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) to prohibit the funding of unlawful Internet wagering. UIGEA, contained in Public Law 109-347, recognized horseracing’s authority to continue to conduct online pari-mutuel wagering on horseracing as authorized under the Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA). The statute directed the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve, in consultation with the Justice Department, to produce supporting regulations. Draft regulations were issued on October 1, 2007. The public comment period for the proposed regulations concluded on December 12, 2007. NTRA continues to monitor the proposed regulations.

Immigration

After several failed attempts at immigration reform over the past 18 months, Congress has substantially backed off the issue in 2007 and is not expected to take up comprehensive immigration reform until after the presidential elections in 2008. Democratic leadership has, for the most part, resisted piecemeal efforts to pass parts of the immigration bill. Efforts by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to attach her AgJOBS bill to the Farm Bill and by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) to move legislation that would allow H-2B workers who have worked in the U.S. in the previous three years to be exempted from the annual visa cap of 66,000 were rebuffed. The 66,000 visa cap was met within days of the start of the new fiscal year.

To increase its role in immigration advocacy, NTRA has joined an immigration coalition for associations and industries that rely heavily on H-2B workers. The H2-B Workforce Coalition includes the American Horse Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Associated Builders and Contractors, American Nursery & Landscape Association and thousands of other organizations and industries employing immigrant workers.

2007 Legislative Summary





Horse Slaughter

In 2007, the House passed an Agriculture Appropriations bill that de-funds United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection services in connection with the movement of slaughter-bound horses. The Senate version of the Ag Appropriations bill contains no similar language. Democratic House Leadership remains supportive of the anti-slaughter language, as are several key Senators. Whether the language survives in Conference as yet remains uncertain.

Also in 2007, the USDA proposed amendments to the regulations governing the commercial transportation of equines for slaughter. The changes would extend the protections provided by the Commercial Transport of Equines to Slaughter Act (CTESA) to horses bound for slaughter but delivered first to an assembly point, feedlot, or stockyard.

Currently, CTESA protections (including mandated rest periods and access to food and water) apply only to equines being transported directly to a slaughter plant, not to slaughter-bound equines that are moved to intermediate stopping points during the shipping process. The proposed amendment would close the gap in the protections afforded by CTESA.

2008 Outlook

After Democrats assumed majorities in both the House and Senate in late 2006, Horse PAC adjusted its disbursements in 2007 to reflect the new balance of power in Congress.

In 2008, the PAC will continue its pattern of bi-partisan giving. In anticipation of greater activity with respect to tax issues affecting horsemen, racetracks and horse players, Horse PAC will increase its focus on tax committees such as the House Ways & Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. Horse PAC will also continue its strategic support for Congressional committees and PACs such as the Blue Dog Coalition, the Congressional Black Caucus, and Democratic and Republican leadership committees in both the House and Senate.

2007 Legislative Summary



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For more information contact:

Peggy Hendershot

Horse PAC President

(800) 792-6872, ext. 648

www.SupportHorseRacing.org

2525 Harrodsburg Road

Lexington, KY 40504

Phone: (859) 245-6872

Fax: (859) 223-3945

Kentuckys Breeding Incentive Program; 40M to Breeders but Not a Dime for Rescue(s)

Re: Fw: Kentucky Breeders' Incentive Fund (KBIF) Registration Deadline

Tue Jul 7, 2009 12:31 pm (PDT)


Studies have shown that 35% of all horses bred for racing go to slaughter. We think that is a conservative estimate!


Commonwealth of Kentucky
Public Protection Cabinet
Horse Racing CommissionKentucky
Steven L. Beshear, Governor;

Lisa E. Underwood, Executive Director
Robert D. Vance, Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jamie Eads
(859) 246-2040
KentuckyBreeders Incentive Fund Registration
Deadline is Set.

Online registration available at www.khrc.ky. gov

LEXINGTON , Ky. (July 6, 2009) The Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders Incentive Fund (KBIF) today announced the registration deadline for mares covered in 2009. Breeders may register online by going to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) web site at www.khrc.ky. govand clicking on Breeders Incentive Fund no later than Aug. 1, 2009. The registration fee is $60. Online registration instructions are available on the website as well as registration forms for breeders who prefer to pay by check.

To qualify for the program, the mare must have been covered by a Kentucky stallion and remain in Kentucky from the time of cover until foaling. Registering the mares bred this year will allow the 2010 foal to be eligible for breeder incentive awards during the foals racing careers. More than $15 million was awarded on 2008 races won by Kentucky-breds eligible for KBIF funds. The KBIF was implemented in 2005 to ensure the strength & growth of the horse industry in Kentucky .Since the funds inception, more than $40 million has been awarded to thoroughbred breeders as an incentive to breed their mares in Kentucky and keep them in the state.

For more information about the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund visit the KHRC web site at www.khrc.ky. govor call (859) 246-2847 or (888) KYBRED.

(Bloggers Note: New Yorks Breeding Incentive Programs are worse by far than any other in the Country, but like the others, still no money for rescue, retirement or re-homeing of the industries cast-off horses.)

Another State (NH) Ends Greyhound Racing!!

Click on title above to read more about the wonderful progress we are making in ENDING Greyhound Racing in the USA -

http://animalnews2.blogspot.com/2009/07/dog-racing-ends-in-new-hampshire.html