The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association held a “Save PA Horse Racing Rally” at the Equistar Farm in East Hanover Township on Sunday, to demonstrate opposition to a budget proposal by Governor Tom Wolf that would redirect the $200 million portion of casino revenues earmarked for horse breeders into a new education program.
The proposal would cut $200 million from the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Trust Fund to create a scholarship program for low-income college students.
The trust fund is generated from slot machine proceeds and is currently used to support horse racing, breeding in the commonwealth.
Local feed and hardware store owner Peter Snyder said in an interview with the local Fox 43 TV news, said the loss in funds would affect thousands in the industry. “If that goes away, you’re going to have people that raise hay and straw, feeds stores like mine, grooms, jockeys, veterinarians, all kinds of people that are going to be impacted by the loss of funds. If the funding is pulled from the breed industry in Pennsylvania, I’m going to be laying off workers. We have 13 employees.”
Many within the industry have raised the specter that the proposal could even end horse racing and breeding in Pennsylvania.
