Well its about time! NYS has thee most lucrative breeding incentives in the world,....it is the least they can do.
SARATOGA SPRINGS - The New York Racing Association is cracking the whip on owners and trainers who sell their horses to slaughter.
NYRA announced a new policy Thursday -- a month after NewsChannel 13 reported that the organization didn't have written rules regarding slaughter.
While they're racing and winning, they often live the good life. After they've lost their value, it's possible for racehorses to end up at slaughterhouses -- strung up, throats slashed and allowed to bleed out.
More Information:
NYRA Details Anti-Slaughter Policy
Related Stories:
Part 1: Home stretch for thoroughbreds
Part 2: Life after the track
The movement to make sure racehorses don't end up slaughtered for food gained momentum when NYRA adopted strict new no-slaughter rules.
The new NYRA policy says any owner or trainer who sells a horse to slaughter will lose his barn privileges permanently.
"Horse slaughter will not be tolerated and those participating in this practice, either knowingly or for lack of due diligence, will not be welcome at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, or Saratoga," NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward said in a statement.
This policy is a personal victory for John Hendrickson of Marylou Whitney Stables. Shortly after NewsChannel 13 told the story of racehorse slaughter in late October, Hendrickson took the issue to his fellow NYRA board members.
"They were very receptive. There's nobody that's for slaughter," Hendrickson said.
According to the humane society, up to 20 percent of all thoroughbreds end up slaughtered. The thoroughbred retirement foundation works to save racehorses and welcomes NYRA's new no-tolerance policy.
"This sends the absolute right message to owners and breeders, saying we have to think about these horses for their whole lives, not just when they're on the track trying to make money for us," said Diana Pikulski of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
Click on title above for original article and video;
http://www.topix.com/forum/sports/horse-racing/TV5L6UAUNQ9H9O40K
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Ohio Standardbred Barn Fire Kills 2 Men, 42 Horses
Horse owners stood stunned as they watched heavy machinery peel back the metal roof of the collapsed structure so firefighters could sift through the debris and extinguish what remained of the blaze. -- PHOTO: AP
LEBANON (Ohio) - A FIRE ripped through a horse barn at a county fairgrounds Saturday in southwest Ohio, killing two men and 43 horses, authorities said.
The barn roof had already collapsed by the time firefighters arrived at the Warren County Fairgrounds early Saturday morning, according to Capt. Krista Wyatt of the Lebanon Fire Department.
The bodies of the men were pulled from the barn and were badly burned, said Shane Cartmill, a spokesman for the Ohio State Fire Marshal. Cartmill was unable to confirm the identities late Saturday.
A horse owner identified the men as Ronnie Williams and James Edwards, both trainers at a harness racing racetrack based at the fairgrounds. Victor Gray, who owned three of the horses that died, said he'd known Williams nearly 40 years. Lamar Moody, lead trainer at Lebanon Raceway, said two of his employees were not accounted for.
No one was supposed to be in the stables overnight and it was not clear if the two men killed were working early or sleeping in the barn. 'It's a terrible situation,' said Gray. 'This is something that didn't have to happen.' The cause of the blaze was under investigation, but state fire investigators say they have ruled out criminal intent.
Horse owners stood stunned as they watched heavy machinery peel back the metal roof of the collapsed structure so firefighters could sift through the debris and extinguish what remained of the blaze. The horses weren't pets but nonetheless were 'part of the family, our kids,' Gray said. 'We loved those horses.' In 1988, a fire in a similar part of the county-owned racetrack and fairgrounds killed 35 horses. No one was killed in that fire. -- AP
LEBANON (Ohio) - A FIRE ripped through a horse barn at a county fairgrounds Saturday in southwest Ohio, killing two men and 43 horses, authorities said.
The barn roof had already collapsed by the time firefighters arrived at the Warren County Fairgrounds early Saturday morning, according to Capt. Krista Wyatt of the Lebanon Fire Department.
The bodies of the men were pulled from the barn and were badly burned, said Shane Cartmill, a spokesman for the Ohio State Fire Marshal. Cartmill was unable to confirm the identities late Saturday.
A horse owner identified the men as Ronnie Williams and James Edwards, both trainers at a harness racing racetrack based at the fairgrounds. Victor Gray, who owned three of the horses that died, said he'd known Williams nearly 40 years. Lamar Moody, lead trainer at Lebanon Raceway, said two of his employees were not accounted for.
No one was supposed to be in the stables overnight and it was not clear if the two men killed were working early or sleeping in the barn. 'It's a terrible situation,' said Gray. 'This is something that didn't have to happen.' The cause of the blaze was under investigation, but state fire investigators say they have ruled out criminal intent.
Horse owners stood stunned as they watched heavy machinery peel back the metal roof of the collapsed structure so firefighters could sift through the debris and extinguish what remained of the blaze. The horses weren't pets but nonetheless were 'part of the family, our kids,' Gray said. 'We loved those horses.' In 1988, a fire in a similar part of the county-owned racetrack and fairgrounds killed 35 horses. No one was killed in that fire. -- AP
Sunday, July 19, 2009
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
9 0
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
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
9 0
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
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
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.)
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.)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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
Monday, June 29, 2009
Gambling & The Great Depression, Then & Now
Excerpt from article, "Greater Depressions: Social and Behavioral Trends of Economic Collapse"
By Kathy McMahon, Psy. D.;
The Great Depression led to a much greater legalization of gambling. The antigambling mood changed as tremendous financial distress gripped the country, especially after the stock market crash of 1929. Legalized gambling was looked upon as a way to stimulate the economy…In 1933, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, and California legalized parimutuel betting. The California Legislature adopted a statute in 1933 referred to as the Horse Racing Act. The statutes took effect upon adoption by the voters of an amendment to the Constitution in June of 1933. During the 1930’s, 21 states brought back racetracks….Nevada legalized most forms of gambling in the State in 1931.
Lottery sales are up. Of the 42 states with lotteries, 22 set sales records last year, including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. They’ll do even better in 2009. But will the gamblers?
The suicide rate among compulsive gamblers is more than 20 times higher than in the general population, according to the crisis center. As during the Great Depression, some people facing financial troubles (and State Governments as well) turn to gambling as a possible salvation. In fact, those who help with compulsive gambling problems are seeing an increase in requests for help. Calls to the 1-800 BETS OFF helpline have increased 41 percent from FY 2002 to FY 2008.
Article from "PeakOilBlues," a wonderful Psy-Fi (psychology & finance) blog where Angsty Americans go; see you there or be square!
Click on title above for full article;
http://www.peakoilblues.com/blog/
Who They Are;
http://www.peakoilblues.com/who.php
By Kathy McMahon, Psy. D.;
The Great Depression led to a much greater legalization of gambling. The antigambling mood changed as tremendous financial distress gripped the country, especially after the stock market crash of 1929. Legalized gambling was looked upon as a way to stimulate the economy…In 1933, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, and California legalized parimutuel betting. The California Legislature adopted a statute in 1933 referred to as the Horse Racing Act. The statutes took effect upon adoption by the voters of an amendment to the Constitution in June of 1933. During the 1930’s, 21 states brought back racetracks….Nevada legalized most forms of gambling in the State in 1931.
Lottery sales are up. Of the 42 states with lotteries, 22 set sales records last year, including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. They’ll do even better in 2009. But will the gamblers?
The suicide rate among compulsive gamblers is more than 20 times higher than in the general population, according to the crisis center. As during the Great Depression, some people facing financial troubles (and State Governments as well) turn to gambling as a possible salvation. In fact, those who help with compulsive gambling problems are seeing an increase in requests for help. Calls to the 1-800 BETS OFF helpline have increased 41 percent from FY 2002 to FY 2008.
Article from "PeakOilBlues," a wonderful Psy-Fi (psychology & finance) blog where Angsty Americans go; see you there or be square!
Click on title above for full article;
http://www.peakoilblues.com/blog/
Who They Are;
http://www.peakoilblues.com/who.php
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Another Gimmick by the horse-racing industry to broaden their fan base, and, (wouldnt you know it) to get their gambers some tax breaks.
Click on title above to see a petition for "No Tax Breaks for Gamblers"
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/no-tax-breaks-for-gamblers-at-our-expense
THOROFAN MISSION
The mission of the Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc., (ThoroFan) is to foster the growth of the Thoroughbred racing industry by providing racing fans with an organization that will actively support their interests.
THOROFAN
ThoroFan’s goals are to retain existing fans and develop new ones through education, membership benefits and communicating the voice of the fan to the racing industry. We aspire to enhance the enjoyment of racing, and knowledge of the sport by developing handicapping skills, providing a clearer path to ownership and reporting on a wide range of issues that are of interest to today’s fan. We leverage our efforts through cooperation with other organizations in the Thoroughbred community.
THE FAN
The Thoroughbred racing fan is the ultimate customer of the sport and industry. Without fan support there would be no races, racehorses, horsemen, owners, track operators or breeding farms. The fan is critical to Thoroughbred racing.
Each fan, regardless of level of participation in the sport, needs to have his or her concerns identified and supported if Thoroughbred racing is to prosper.
ThoroFan.Org
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Kentucky News: Gov gets a new blog, video gambling & more...
News briefs from around Kentucky at 4:58 a.m. EDT
Ky. governor starts blog
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — First it was Twitter, now Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear is going up with a blog.
The 64-year-old Democrat launched his blog Monday. Beshear says it will help Kentuckians stay updated on what's new.
Beshear says now's the best time to start the blog because he recently called the General Assembly into a special session to begin next Monday. The governor wants lawmakers to pass legislation addressing the state's estimated $1 billion budget shortfall and to legalize slot machines at race tracks.
The governor also wants lawmakers to pass economic development tax incentives and to create an authority to oversee construction of bridges between Kentucky and Indiana.
Beshear already had a Twitter account and gives weekly addresses on YouTube.
__
___
Ky. racing commission to discuss gambling
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is scheduled to discuss a proposal to allow video gambling at tracks.
The commission's agenda says it will take up whether to support Gov. Steve Beshear's call for lawmakers to consider the proposal during a special legislative session that begins Monday.
Beshear called a special session so lawmakers could consider legislation aimed at relieving the state's estimated $1 billion shortfall in the next fiscal year. He later added the gambling proposal to the agenda.
The Democratic governor who campaigned on a promise to expand gambling says a state known for the Kentucky Derby and its majestic race horses is in danger of losing the equine industry without additional gambling revenue.
___
Auditors question TVA shoreline deals with wealthy
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Wealthy and influential people seeking private lakeshore access to the Tennessee Valley Authority's 11,000 miles of Tennessee River system shoreline appeared to receive preferential treatment, according to an audit released Monday.
TVA Inspector General Richard Moore's 85-page report found no evidence that rules were deliberately broken, but said TVA managed the program "selectively and arbitrarily" often to the benefit of "the wealthy, the influential, or both."
Among those receiving approval for boat docks or waterfront access was U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., who until recently served on a House subcommittee with oversight of TVA, the nation's largest public utility.
The audit, pushed by publicity over Shuler's influence on a residential lake development near Knoxville in which he is an investor, focused on TVA's "maintain and grow" program under which it grants water-access rights to one piece of land in exchange for rights on another piece of land. The goal is to produce no net loss of public shoreline.
Moore worried the program, as it was run, may undermine TVA lakeshore management reforms adopted in 2006. The reforms for the first time set residential development limits on TVA lakes and rivers, ensuring the public could use at least 68 percent of its managed shoreline.
Others who were approved for private docks or water access were former TVA Chairman Bill Sansom of Knoxville and Charles Perry, the general manager of the Paris (Ky.) Board of Public Utilities — a TVA power distributor.
___
Governor, leaders to discuss special session
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's House is "poised" to vote on a plan to legalize video gambling at horse racing tracks throughout the state, Speaker Greg Stumbo said Monday night, stopping short of predicting its ultimate success.
Stumbo, a Prestonsburg Democrat, agreed with Gov. Steve Beshear that lawmakers should vote this summer on whether to allow tracks to operate video gambling machines — also called slots — that could generate additional money for Kentucky's horse industry.
Still, Stumbo said the plan lacked the "full support" among leaders in the Democrat-controlled House and debate would likely drag on more than a week.
"We don't have the full support," Stumbo said during an appearance on Kentucky Educational Television's Kentucky Tonight show broadcast from Lexington, Ky. "This is one of those bills that we're just telling our members to vote what they believe their conscience is. It's too important of a decision to really twist arms or do those sorts of things."
Stumbo, Beshear, a Democrat, and Senate President David Williams, a Burkesville Republican appeared together Monday night before the General Assembly's high-stakes special session set to begin next week. Beshear has called the legislature into a special session on June 15 to deal with an estimated $1 billion budget shortfall in the coming fiscal year, and a plan to legalize video gambling terminals at Kentucky's horse racing tracks.
The governor, a Democrat, also has ordered lawmakers to consider passing legislation authorizing new economic development tax incentives, and the creation of an authority to oversee construction of major bridges between Kentucky and Indiana.
Ky. governor starts blog
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — First it was Twitter, now Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear is going up with a blog.
The 64-year-old Democrat launched his blog Monday. Beshear says it will help Kentuckians stay updated on what's new.
Beshear says now's the best time to start the blog because he recently called the General Assembly into a special session to begin next Monday. The governor wants lawmakers to pass legislation addressing the state's estimated $1 billion budget shortfall and to legalize slot machines at race tracks.
The governor also wants lawmakers to pass economic development tax incentives and to create an authority to oversee construction of bridges between Kentucky and Indiana.
Beshear already had a Twitter account and gives weekly addresses on YouTube.
__
___
Ky. racing commission to discuss gambling
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is scheduled to discuss a proposal to allow video gambling at tracks.
The commission's agenda says it will take up whether to support Gov. Steve Beshear's call for lawmakers to consider the proposal during a special legislative session that begins Monday.
Beshear called a special session so lawmakers could consider legislation aimed at relieving the state's estimated $1 billion shortfall in the next fiscal year. He later added the gambling proposal to the agenda.
The Democratic governor who campaigned on a promise to expand gambling says a state known for the Kentucky Derby and its majestic race horses is in danger of losing the equine industry without additional gambling revenue.
___
Auditors question TVA shoreline deals with wealthy
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Wealthy and influential people seeking private lakeshore access to the Tennessee Valley Authority's 11,000 miles of Tennessee River system shoreline appeared to receive preferential treatment, according to an audit released Monday.
TVA Inspector General Richard Moore's 85-page report found no evidence that rules were deliberately broken, but said TVA managed the program "selectively and arbitrarily" often to the benefit of "the wealthy, the influential, or both."
Among those receiving approval for boat docks or waterfront access was U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., who until recently served on a House subcommittee with oversight of TVA, the nation's largest public utility.
The audit, pushed by publicity over Shuler's influence on a residential lake development near Knoxville in which he is an investor, focused on TVA's "maintain and grow" program under which it grants water-access rights to one piece of land in exchange for rights on another piece of land. The goal is to produce no net loss of public shoreline.
Moore worried the program, as it was run, may undermine TVA lakeshore management reforms adopted in 2006. The reforms for the first time set residential development limits on TVA lakes and rivers, ensuring the public could use at least 68 percent of its managed shoreline.
Others who were approved for private docks or water access were former TVA Chairman Bill Sansom of Knoxville and Charles Perry, the general manager of the Paris (Ky.) Board of Public Utilities — a TVA power distributor.
___
Governor, leaders to discuss special session
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's House is "poised" to vote on a plan to legalize video gambling at horse racing tracks throughout the state, Speaker Greg Stumbo said Monday night, stopping short of predicting its ultimate success.
Stumbo, a Prestonsburg Democrat, agreed with Gov. Steve Beshear that lawmakers should vote this summer on whether to allow tracks to operate video gambling machines — also called slots — that could generate additional money for Kentucky's horse industry.
Still, Stumbo said the plan lacked the "full support" among leaders in the Democrat-controlled House and debate would likely drag on more than a week.
"We don't have the full support," Stumbo said during an appearance on Kentucky Educational Television's Kentucky Tonight show broadcast from Lexington, Ky. "This is one of those bills that we're just telling our members to vote what they believe their conscience is. It's too important of a decision to really twist arms or do those sorts of things."
Stumbo, Beshear, a Democrat, and Senate President David Williams, a Burkesville Republican appeared together Monday night before the General Assembly's high-stakes special session set to begin next week. Beshear has called the legislature into a special session on June 15 to deal with an estimated $1 billion budget shortfall in the coming fiscal year, and a plan to legalize video gambling terminals at Kentucky's horse racing tracks.
The governor, a Democrat, also has ordered lawmakers to consider passing legislation authorizing new economic development tax incentives, and the creation of an authority to oversee construction of major bridges between Kentucky and Indiana.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
A Race Never Run: The Story of Witches Trail
Cross-posting for the Cause;
This isn't a sales pitch or a marketing piece; nor will it be considered
"headline news" by a worldwide reporter; it's a real story of a real horse – in
our care and on our watch. It is the real story of a 3 year old thoroughbred
full of life, a life that he may lose and here is his story.
Witch's Trail was bred to race, but he never raced. He never made it to the
starter gate, heard the roar of the crowd or lingered in the "Winner's Circle,"
he's a thoroughbred born to race, but he was betrayed.
Pure Thoughts answered a call from a man identifying himself as the trainer for
this horse. Allegedly he didn't know what was wrong with the horse and was
unable or unwilling to spend the money to have him diagnosed but it was apparent
he would not race. The woman who was supposedly rehabbing him had lost her farm
and this man was having " a rough meet at Tampa Bay Downs" and asked if we would
take this horse. When the truck arrived, no one was there, apparently the people
had moved the week before, no one to care for him; just Witch's Trail standing
alone with no one to even bid him luck or say goodbye.
When Brad Gaver, co-founder of Pure Thoughts off loaded Witch's Trail at our
farm, there was little evidence that the horse had received any type of rehab,
the horse could barely walk up the driveway… mind you a 3 year old horse in
training to race. Physically Witch's Trail appeared to need some weight and
needed his feet done so Brad trimmed his feet, put on a set of shoes to add
support and initially Witch's Trail seemed more comfortable, but our eyes knew
there was much more medically happening to this beautiful creature.
A few days later our vet came out to the farm, and it was a horrible afternoon.
Witch's Trail was diagnosed with Wobbles/ cervical vertebra spinal cord
compressive disease. In addition, he was diagnosed with a left rear tarsal
valgus deformity with clinical bone spavin swelling. He was more than likely
born with the latter and most possibly living with wobbles for a while. The true
story of this report is the pain this horse was in – in training to race, left
in a pasture, no hoof care, lame on all four legs – but a true thoroughbred –
stoic and brave – still willing to run his heart out for the humans who betrayed
him.
Witch's Trail very well could lose the most important race– the race for his
life. No matter what the outcome, he will be kept out of pain and treated to his
favorite foods, carrots, apples, treats, baths, grooming and have legions of
volunteers loving on him for as long as he chooses. He really needs a miracle,
and we have truly seen miracles happen here before, evidenced by the productive
lives thousands of our rescues now enjoy. He isn't ready to die – he whinnies to
the babies; he is excited to watch the horses walk by; he is curious and
affectionate; he is still full of life.
This is a plea to save the life of a horse not ready to die. We are looking to
you the compassionate veterinarians, racing industry experts, organizations and
horse lovers nationwide in the equine community to be willing to take a chance
on this boy name Witch's Trail. To read updates on this boy please visit
https://www.purethoughtshorserescue.com/ottbdivision/witchstrail/index.php
We pray for a miracle and hope that someone who is reading this can rally up
some possibility and suggestions for a young thoroughbred, born to race and now
deserving to live as a horse. We could not humanely euthanize him yesterday; he
is not ready to say goodbye nor are we. Can you help?
Cheryl Hanna
Jennifer Swanson
Pure Thoughts Inc.
Thoroughbred Rehabilitation and Placement
FLTRP@PureThoughtsHorseRescue.com
Pure Thoughts Inc.
Horse & Foal Rescue
19181 Capet Creek
Loxahatchee, FL 33470
www.PTHR.org
561-254-0415
This isn't a sales pitch or a marketing piece; nor will it be considered
"headline news" by a worldwide reporter; it's a real story of a real horse – in
our care and on our watch. It is the real story of a 3 year old thoroughbred
full of life, a life that he may lose and here is his story.
Witch's Trail was bred to race, but he never raced. He never made it to the
starter gate, heard the roar of the crowd or lingered in the "Winner's Circle,"
he's a thoroughbred born to race, but he was betrayed.
Pure Thoughts answered a call from a man identifying himself as the trainer for
this horse. Allegedly he didn't know what was wrong with the horse and was
unable or unwilling to spend the money to have him diagnosed but it was apparent
he would not race. The woman who was supposedly rehabbing him had lost her farm
and this man was having " a rough meet at Tampa Bay Downs" and asked if we would
take this horse. When the truck arrived, no one was there, apparently the people
had moved the week before, no one to care for him; just Witch's Trail standing
alone with no one to even bid him luck or say goodbye.
When Brad Gaver, co-founder of Pure Thoughts off loaded Witch's Trail at our
farm, there was little evidence that the horse had received any type of rehab,
the horse could barely walk up the driveway… mind you a 3 year old horse in
training to race. Physically Witch's Trail appeared to need some weight and
needed his feet done so Brad trimmed his feet, put on a set of shoes to add
support and initially Witch's Trail seemed more comfortable, but our eyes knew
there was much more medically happening to this beautiful creature.
A few days later our vet came out to the farm, and it was a horrible afternoon.
Witch's Trail was diagnosed with Wobbles/ cervical vertebra spinal cord
compressive disease. In addition, he was diagnosed with a left rear tarsal
valgus deformity with clinical bone spavin swelling. He was more than likely
born with the latter and most possibly living with wobbles for a while. The true
story of this report is the pain this horse was in – in training to race, left
in a pasture, no hoof care, lame on all four legs – but a true thoroughbred –
stoic and brave – still willing to run his heart out for the humans who betrayed
him.
Witch's Trail very well could lose the most important race– the race for his
life. No matter what the outcome, he will be kept out of pain and treated to his
favorite foods, carrots, apples, treats, baths, grooming and have legions of
volunteers loving on him for as long as he chooses. He really needs a miracle,
and we have truly seen miracles happen here before, evidenced by the productive
lives thousands of our rescues now enjoy. He isn't ready to die – he whinnies to
the babies; he is excited to watch the horses walk by; he is curious and
affectionate; he is still full of life.
This is a plea to save the life of a horse not ready to die. We are looking to
you the compassionate veterinarians, racing industry experts, organizations and
horse lovers nationwide in the equine community to be willing to take a chance
on this boy name Witch's Trail. To read updates on this boy please visit
https://www.purethoughtshorserescue.com/ottbdivision/witchstrail/index.php
We pray for a miracle and hope that someone who is reading this can rally up
some possibility and suggestions for a young thoroughbred, born to race and now
deserving to live as a horse. We could not humanely euthanize him yesterday; he
is not ready to say goodbye nor are we. Can you help?
Cheryl Hanna
Jennifer Swanson
Pure Thoughts Inc.
Thoroughbred Rehabilitation and Placement
FLTRP@PureThoughtsHorseRescue.com
Pure Thoughts Inc.
Horse & Foal Rescue
19181 Capet Creek
Loxahatchee, FL 33470
www.PTHR.org
561-254-0415
Monday, June 1, 2009
Watching a Late Night TV Show about TB Racing
..and what I have learned tonite.
It is 12:50 a.m. EST and I am watching a show on channel 48 (C-NBC) about horse-racing. I have just learned that a horse must be 3yrs old or under to be eligible to run in the derby. They were talking about the pressure owners are under to get their young horses ready to run in time. I am wondering why do they have to be so young? I read somewhere that back in the early days of TB racing, horses were run older and the races were longer. I read that the older horses run faster than the younger ones. So why are we forcing them to race so young? Of course, that is a rethorical question because we all already know the an$wer.
It is 12:50 a.m. EST and I am watching a show on channel 48 (C-NBC) about horse-racing. I have just learned that a horse must be 3yrs old or under to be eligible to run in the derby. They were talking about the pressure owners are under to get their young horses ready to run in time. I am wondering why do they have to be so young? I read somewhere that back in the early days of TB racing, horses were run older and the races were longer. I read that the older horses run faster than the younger ones. So why are we forcing them to race so young? Of course, that is a rethorical question because we all already know the an$wer.
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