Although Texas horse racetracks had to cut back on the number of thoroughbred race days, the events attracted larger crowds. As a result, Andrea Young, president at Sam Houston Race Park and officials at the state’s other two Class 1 racetracks hoped the 84th biennial Texas legislature would take notice and help the struggling industry. Instead, lawmakers battled over the fate of the Texas Racing Commission.
The scenario started last August when the commission voted 7-1 to approve historic racing at the state’s racetracks. But Republican state Rep. Matt Krause filed a lawsuit against the commission, claiming it did not have the authority to allow the machines. That suit was dismissed, but in Travis County, a coalition of charitable bingo organizers filed another petition. Travis County District Court Judge Lora Livingston ruled in November that the TRC did overstep its authority. Besides the charitable bingo organizers, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, which operates the state’s only legal casino at Eagle Pass, also hailed the move.
When the legislative session started, Republican state Senator Craig Estes, filed SB 364 to abolish the TRC entirely, eliminate its $15.4 million annual budget and transfer its duties to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation. When TRC Chairman Robert Schmidt appeared before the Senate Finance Committee in February, senators called the TRC a “rogue” and “renegade” agency. Committee Chairwoman Jane Nelson said, “Right now your budget is zero, and I’ve had nothing here today that’s convinced me that it needs to change.”
According to the April 21 Legislative Budget Board, the Senate still has allocated nothing for the TRC. At this point, the bill has not made it into committee.
The House, however, has allotted $3.4 million, while Krause continues to urge his colleagues to stop funding the commission.
Meanwhile, Democrat state Rep. Roberto Alonzo has sponsored House Bill 3667 which would refund certain taxes to racetracks to help them increase purses and attract better horses, trainers and jockeys. The bill has not moved past the filing stage. Republican state Senator Kel Seliger’s SB 1027 also would enhance purses through allocations by the state comptroller. The bill also has not moved past filing.
Said Sam Houston’s Young, “It’s been frustrating. Texas traditionally considers itself a very pro-business state, but this approach is a very anti-business stance. Texas racing has great markets with solid tracks. You’d think we’d have better horses but we’re playing on an un-level playing field and the great ones don’t come here. What all of this has done is really put pressure on us and our product. We don’t own the horses and the jockeys go where the money is, and that has placed an intense pressure on the racetracks.”
At Lone Star Race Park, President Scott Wells said, “The politics of horse racing may be out of our hands. We may continue to have racing that is not as good as it was 10 years ago but we’ve spent millions refurbishing our suites, refurbishing every level of our stadium. It’s a lot more fun when we have great horse races but a horserace is still a horserace and people still enjoy the pageantry of it.”
President Kevin Whalen at Retama Race Park in San Antonio noted, “Our goal is to get more people to the track with theme nights, promotions, concerts, whatever it takes to get people out here to experience this. You know, our biggest day isn’t even with live racing. It’s the Kentucky Derby. We pulled in about 6,000 people last year. It’s one of our best days of the year.”
