RACINO
Recently, Racino legislation was introduced in both the Minnesota House and Senate. Racino legislation would allow for Minnesota two racetracks, Canterbury Park in Shakopee and Running Aces in Columbus, to contract with the Minnesota State Lottery to operate video lottery terminals. Revenues from these facilities would then be divided between the state, the lottery, the facilities and the state’s horse industry.
Many are likely aware that this legislation would stimulate growth in Minnesota’s racing industry as money would be dedicated to the purses at each racetrack. Increased purses would enhance Minnesota’s rural economy as farriers, grain farmers, veterinarians, and countless other equine professionals will benefit from a larger horse racing industry.
However, this legislation would also create an Equine Industry Enhancement Fund that would create grants available to Minnesota’s non-racing breeds. This fund would contain hundreds of thousands of dollars that would be available via grants to equine groups throughout the entire state of Minnesota every year.
As the legislation is currently written, the Minnesota Racing Commission would establish the fund. The Commission would then create an advisory board to disburse grants from this fund to support and improve the equine industry. This money could be used for the construction of trails or facilities, the production of shows, for futurity prizes, fair purses, horse rescue and rehabilitation, education and more.
The Minnesota Horse Council supports this legislation due to the fact that it will benefit Minnesota’s entire equine community. In order to ensure that this fund remains in the bill, Minnesota’s horse industry needs to be heard at the capitol. The easiest way to get involved in the effort is to sign up as a supporter at www.racinonow.com/sign-up-and-help. This website will allow you to do the following: receive communication regarding Racino legislation, send letters to your legislators and compose letters to the editors of your local papers. You’re legislators will need to hear from you in order to make this bill a reality.