from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Pennsylvania’s horse racing industry is up in arms after hearing news that Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed $27.1 billion budget includes a plan to “raid” the state’s Race Horse Development Fund by $72 million for each of the next three years.

According to a story in the Philadelphia Business Journal, the Pennsylvania Equine Coalition, a statewide group representing more than 10,000 trainers, owners and breeders, said the Governor’s plan will be a “devastating blow” to the horse racing and breeding industry that employs more than 23,000 Pennsylvanians.

Ron Batoni, executive director of the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, said in the story that the state already planned to transfer $47 million from the Race Horse Development Fund to the state’s general fund.

“Now we are looking at a roughly $120 million loss in the 2012-2013 fiscal year,” said Batoni.

To read the full story, click here.