CURRENT NEWS
5-16-12: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
SB 472 was amended this morning into HB 2550. The session is quickly
winding down but we continue to push the racing initiative. This
Bill would have to be released from the Federal and State Affairs
Committee for a vote in the Senate. If it passes the Senate, the
Bill would then proceed to the House for what we hope would be a
fair up or down vote. The wide-spread feeling is that receiving a
fair up or down vote in the House is our largest hurdle. I'd be
happy to discuss the details of that with you individually. Please
continue pushing your Senators and Representatives to support the
racing Bill. We can't quit pushing until the session ends!
The KTA requests that all members call AND email Senator Steve
Morris and Representative Mike Oneal on both Thursday May 17th and
Friday the 18th. We ask that you keep the message uniform and
simple. "I'm contacting you to request your assistance in receiving
a fair vote on the Jobs Bill that could mean thousands of jobs and
millions of dollars for Kansas agri-business. Why would we not
receive a fair vote on HB 2550?" Please deliver that exact message.
You need to leave your name and a phone number where you can
be contacted if you expect them to pay any attention at all. Please
call and email both if possible. Remember to keep all communications
courteous as these legislators have had an extremely rough session
and probably aren't in the best of spirits. We are near the end here
folks and we need your help with these calls and emails!
Senator Steve Morris Contact Info
785.296.2419
steve.morris@senate.ks.gov
Representative Mike Oneal Contact
Info
785.296.2302
mike.oneal@house.ks.gov
4-29-12: URGENT - PRESS RELEASE
I have issued this press release and would like our membership to
download a copy and submit it to their local paper. Your
support is much appreciated.
Thank you,
Cameron Roth
Download 4-29-12 Press Release here.
REPORT FROM THE CAPITOL (4-27-12)
It was a very productive and interesting
day at the Capitol!
First, I want to thank all the people who showed up to support
Kansas racing.
Between the three breed groups, there was quite a crowd working
to get the attention of legislators.
I also want to thank Senator Bob Marshall and the dozen
other senators he lined up to have lunch with us.
A huge debt of gratitude also goes out to all the Kansas
hay and grain producers who took time out of their busy farming
schedules to make phone calls on Wednesday in support of our
effort.
After our lunch with legislators, we
went back to the Capitol to continue spreading our message.
During this time, the Fed and State Affairs Committee
introduced the gaming Bill and has since been numbered SB 472.
This Bill is one I believe the KTA can support and a vote
of the Board of Directors will be held when everyone has an
opportunity to review the language and details.
While I haven’t been able to study the
Bill with a microscope yet, this is my understanding…The Bill
has some interesting changes from past Bills.
It allows for year-round simulcasting at the tracks,
which is great and something requested by the track operators.
With another request of a track operator, the Bill will
delay racing for the first year,
which I feel is unfortunate, but no Bill can suit
everyone. There is
also a different angle regarding the Wichita re-vote, which
should make this huge past obstacle easier to cross for some
legislators. The
percentage splits between breeds and track operators is this:
First year – no live racing, but 8% of slot revenues is
put into a purse fund and 65% goes to the operator, while the
share to the state is reduced to 22%, which is on-going.
Second year – live racing begins with 65% to the track
operators and 8% to the purse fund. Third year- 63% to the track
operator with 10% to purses. In the fourth year and beyond the
track operators receive 61% and the horses and dogs get 12% for
purses. The Fair
Fund will get 1% throughout. Also, The Woodlands will run horses
only with all of the money generated there staying there.
The same goes for the Greyhounds at Wichita and
Frontenac.
While I’m concerned with the willingness
of the track operators to accept these percentage splits, it
must be remembered that it was left up to the legislators to put
this Bill together.
I was told that their main concern was to put together a Bill
with the best opportunity to pass and do the most for the racing
industry in Kansas, as called for in the Kansas Agricultural
Opportunity Act. Due
to the fact that track operators agreed to a 40% share in SB 66,
I’m hopeful that they will find it feasible to operate at 61% in
year four and thereafter. The legislators obviously feel this is
a fair percentage split.
We will await further developments and
be in touch with our Board.
Please keep calling your legislators and ask them to
support the gaming Bill.
You must also continue requesting the same of the
suppliers for your horse operation.
A special focus should be given to House members, as this
is widely viewed as the highest hurdle.
LET’S KEEP BATTLIN’!
Best regards,
Cameron Roth
KTA President
Breeder of the Year
It is time to find our Kansas Breeder of the Year for 2011.
Please contact me with any nominations, yourself or another person.
Thanks,
Pam Davis
Racing News Updated 5-14-12:
2 winners last week, Abel
Winaprize at Lincoln Race Course and
Indy Senorita at
Will Rogers Downs. Click here for
this year's current list of winners.