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Legislative Updates Spring 2001 ALABAMA Montgomery: The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee voted 3-2 on March 6 to endorse a bill allowing the state's four dog tracks to operate video gambling machines. Sen. Charles Steele, D-Tuscaloosa, whose district includes the Greene County dog track, sponsored the bill. Lt. Gov. Steve Windom, who opposes the legislation, predicted the bill would fail as similar bills failed in the 1999 and 2000 sessions. "A majority of theSenate has said time after time they are opposed to it," he said. Windom, the Senate's presiding officer, said the video gambling legislation is an example of how a powerful interest group like the dog track industry can get its bills back before the Senate year after year. Gambling foes held a press conference March 20 to announce the introduction of a bill to amend the state constitution to prohibit the Legislature from authorizing new forms of gambling. Any expansion of gambling would require approval by Alabama voters in a statewide referendum. The Rev. Dan Ireland, director
of the Alabama Citizen Action Program, a lobbying group supported by churches,
said, "The entire session last year revolved around video poker. It's
time for the Alabama Legislature to put a stop to this issue's dominance
of the lawmaking function." Sources: The Tuscaloosa News:
Dana Beyerle COLORADO Denver: State Rep.Mark Cloer of Colorado Springs introduced HB 1339 on Feb. 14 in the House Agriculture Committee.The bill proposed to use 50 percent of the proceeds from unclaimed winning tickets [known as "outs"] to create a greyhound adoption trust fund to "provide for the care, medical rehabilitation, spaying and neutering, and facilitation of the adoption of injured, abandoned, and retired racing greyhounds." The bill died March 23 after the committee postponed it indefinitely. Cloer said racetrack lobbyists convinced lawmakers that the track owners need that money for renovations and repairs. "I promise I will continue the good and noble fight to encourage the continued adoption of these majestic animals," he said. Source: Rocky Mountain News FLORIDA Tallahassee: Several bills pertaining to the welfare and adoption of racing greyhounds have been introduced in the Senate. State Sen. Burt Saunders, R-Naples, filed Senate Bill 1044, the "Racing Greyhound Protection Act," on Feb. 22. The bill, which attempts to establish basic standards of care, states that the dogs must be properly fed, watered and exercised, kept free from inadmissible drugs, and returned to their owners orplaced for adoption at the end of their racing careers. It also would require the tracks to provide a qualified practicing veterinarian on site at all race performances to treat injuries, properly maintain the track surface and mechanical equipment, including the lure, and install air conditioning at all track kennels with a backup alarm system in case of a power failure. Senate Bill 1692, filed by Sen. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, on March 6, would require tracks to establish or improve adoption programs, including staffing an information booth full time during racing weekends; provide information about adoption in racing programs; and authorize an additional charity day at each track designated as "Greyhound Adopt A Pet Day." The bill specifically states: "All profits derived from the operation of the charity day must be used to fund activities at the racing facility which promote the adoption ofgreyhounds." [ No independent non?profit adoption groups would benefit.[Ed.] Saunders' bill drew criticism from greyhound activists. Janet Skinner, the Tampa Bay coordinator for the Greyhound Protection League (GPL), called the bill useless because it makes no provision for either funding or staff to enforce its standards. SusanNetboy, GPL's national director, called the bill inadequate and misleading. "Sen. Saunders, well intentioned as he may be, is grossly misinformed about the value of legislative reform given the complexity of the dog racing industry."
Sources: Naples Daily News:
Erinn Hutkin KANSAS Topeka: SB 156, a bill to legalize slot machines at the state's three dog tracks, was introduced in the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee on Jan. 24. The bill was endorsed by the committee on a 7-1 vote March 8 and returned to the full Senate. On March 22, the Senate rejected the measure 23-17. The bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Chris Steineger, D-Kansas City, refused to concede defeat and vowed to withhold support on other key pieces of legislation to pressure legislators to reconsider their opposition to slot machines. Staunch gambling opponent Glenn Thompson, Executive Director of Stand Up for Kansas, once again successfully led the fight against the slot machine measure. However, Thompson cautioned, "I don't think it's dead until the last hour of the last day. There's always ways you can bring bills back." Sources: Topeka Capital Journal:
Roger Myers MASSACHUSETTS Boston: A long and embittered dispute between the owners of the state's four racetracks over simulcasting rights ended in late March after a compromise agreement was reached. Charles Sarkis, owner of Wonderland Greyhound Park, said the agreement is "95 percent of the way there." Sarkis called the provisions of the agreement complicated, saying that geography was at the crux of the disputes. "Wonderland and Suffolk Downs have our own issues, while Raynham Taunton and Plainridge have theirs. I think it really came down to personalities, and we just decided we have to trust everybody," Sarkis said. He said a memorandum is being readied to go to the Legislature in a few weeks and he hopes lawmakers will accept the agreement the owners have reached. On Dec 21, 2000 the Legislature passed an emergency extension ofthe simulcasting law through June 2001; the law had been set to expire Dec. 31. If the committee rejects the compromise agreement and no consensus is reached before the June 30 close of the legislative session, the simulcasting law will expire. As attendance continues to decline, simulcasting has become the major source of revenue for both the horse and dog tracks. "Without simulcasting, we'd be out of business. No doubt about that," said Wonderland's president Dick Dalton. The tracks also are pushing controversial proposals to eliminate $8 million in so called "sin" taxes on their struggling industry. State officials contend the proposal would reduce taxes on the racing industry from $9 million to as little as $1 million. Sources: The Boston Globe:
Beth Berlo NEW HAMPSHIRE Concord: Three legislative proposals to expand gambling in the state drew a storm of protest from anti gambling opponents, as the measures were being debated in House committees March 12. More than 30 members of the Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling, a group made up of politicians, civic leaders, law enforcement groups, and church leaders, testified against the measures. Under consideration are proposals to establish state run casinos, allow the state Sweepstakes Commission to hold sealed bid auctions for permits to operate slot machines in cities and towns that would allow them, and a proposal by state Rep. Anthony DiFruscia to allow slot machines in cities and towns that approve them by a two thirds referendum vote. State Sen. Clifton Below noted that as of mid March, no lawmaker had introduced a bill to legalize video gambling at the state's four racetracks. Below indicated that a bill to expand gambling at the tracks might be brought in as a floor amendment late in the session. "It's sort of the sleeper that pops up at the end," he said. Gov. Jeanne Shaheen has vowed to veto legislation that would legalize casino gambling statewide. Shaheen has previously supported failed legislative attempts to expand gambling at the three dog tracks and one horse track. The legislative session ends in May. Sources: The Telegraph: Kevin
Landrigan OREGON Salem: House Bill 3928, a bill seeking to end dog racing by amending the existing pari mutuel statutes, was formally introduced by the House Judiciary Committee. HB 3928 received first reading March 13. The bill was referred to the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee on March 21. Source: The Oregonian |