Nebraska Racing Bill Stumbles
February 19, 2010
A measure to help the state's ailing thoroughbred horse-racing industry didn't get out of the gates this morning in the Nebraska Legislature.
Legislative Resolution 277, introduced by Wilber Sen. Russ Karpisek,
fell three votes short of advancing from first-round debate on a 22-11 vote. Opponents, led by Scottsbluff Sen. John Harms, argued that the idea was an expansion of gambling that would harm families and wouldn't bail out a "dying" industry.
Under LR 277, "satellite" betting on horse races would be allowed at bars and taverns, much like betting on keno games. The constitutional amendment would have required statewide voter in November, then approval by voters in communities seeking satellite betting.
Karpisek argued that his proposal, Legislative Resolution 277, was not an expansion of gambling, only a new way to place bets.
Approval of the idea, he said, would bring in about $6 million in new revenue for horse racing, which would aid the building of a new track in Lincoln, where the State Fair Park track is scheduled to close after 2012.
Karpisek argued that more than $29 million in economic impact, and about 2,500 jobs, are generated by horse racing. |
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