Michigan racing likely to live another day

The Michigan House on Thursday approved by a vote of 105-1 a bill that would restore some funding for horse racing in the state and now goes to the state Senate. The bill restores $2.5 million to the Office of the Racing Commissioner, funding which was needed to keep the state’s racetracks from closing on Thursday, Nov. 5.

 

The bill calls for the monies to come from a tax on simulcast racing, which was the original source sought by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who did not want the funding to come from fees paid annually by the three casinos in downtown Detroit. Until a final version of the bill is passed by both Chambers, it is still unknown how much money would be restored for the county fairs and Sire Stakes program.

 

Earlier, Gov. Granholm issued an Executive Order abolishing the ORC and moving the auspices of racing to the state’s Gaming Control Board. Some legislators have publicly expressed a desire to rescind that order and keep things status quo with the ORC operating under the Dept. of Agriculture.

 

Also, a House Appropriations Committee discussed the possibility of spending $20,000 to study the possibilities of adding slot machines at the racetracks or letting the state lottery install pull-tab machines similar to slots in bars and restaurants. The Committee would have the study done to see if the two possibilities could bring enough money to ease the state’s budget deficit.