More than
1,000 Texas horsemen from across the State representing racing and
non-racing horse disciplines joined together at the Texas State Capitol
in Austin Thursday, March 31st to support SJR 33/ SB 1118,
and HJR 111/HB 2111. This legislation would permit
Texans to vote on allowing slot machines at licensed racetracks and
Indian Reservations in the Lone Star State.
The group drew attention not just from its large
number of supporters present but also with animals representing the
various areas that will be positively impacted with the passage of the
bills. An American Quarter Horse, American Paint Horse, Thoroughbred,
Mustang and two Greyhounds greeted Capitol visitors.
Grammy award winner and equestrian
enthusiast Lyle Lovett addressed the group on the front steps of the
Capitol. As a long-time horse owner, Lovett is aware of the plight of
the horse racing in the state and how that negatively affects all areas
of the industry. “We’re hoping that by passing this legislation
we will be able to sustain what has been a tremendous tradition and
vital part of the Texas economy — the equine and agriculture business,”
he said.
Every year, an estimated $2.5 billion leaves Texas
for neighboring states with casino gaming. The operation of slots at
racetracks in neighboring states provides an insurmountable economic
advantage over Texas tracks. The consequence of this economic disparity
has been the exodus of horses, breeding farms and other horse
professionals to other states as they follow higher purses. This
leaves the Texas horse industry at an overwhelming disadvantage which
threatens the very existence of a vital horse industry and agricultural
enterprises in the state.
Supporters of SB 1118/ HB 2111 crowded into the
chamber of the Texas House of Representatives and made their presence
known when Speaker Pro Tempore Beverly Woolley (R-Houston) welcomed
them to the Capitol from the house floor. Woolley is the lead Sponsor
of HB 2111.
“We are extremely pleased with the turn-out today,”
said Val Clark, executive director of Texas HORSE. “We are urging all
horsemen who want to have a voice on this matter to contact their
legislators and ask for the opportunity to vote on this in November.”
This legislation will provide the tools to allow the
Texas racing industry to compete on a level playing field with all the
bordering states. It will also give much needed support to the
non-racing segments of the horse industry by establishing a Performance
Horse Development Fund.
Texas Horse Organizations for Racing, Showing, and
Eventing (H.O.R.S.E.) was founded in 2008 to unite, for the first time,
all the major horse organizations in Texas. Its members include the
American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association,
and the National Cutting Horse Association, all national organizations
headquartered in Texas, as well as the Texas Thoroughbred Association,
Texas Quarter Horse Association, Texas Horsemen’s Partnership, Texas
Arabian Breeders’ Association and the Texas Paint Horse Breeders’
Association.
For more information, please visit
www.texashorseweb.com.
