from the SOA of New York

Yonkers, NY — On Monday, July 13, George Karam of the Saratoga Harness Horsemen’s Association hosted a meeting of representatives from various New York State Harness Horsemen’s Associations, representatives of the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board and the New York State Racing & Wagering Board in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

In addition to Karam, Bruce Tubin represented the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association, Rick Papa represented the Harness Horse Association of Central New York, and Joe Faraldo and George Casale represented the Standardbred Owners Association of New York. Steve Carbone and Neil M. Gilberg were in attendance from the Workers’ Compensation Board, and Nicole Robilotto and Joanne Quell represented the New York State Racing & Wagering Board.

Topics discussed were escalating premiums for workers’ compensation insurance in the State of New York; why workers compensation insurance from other states was no longer acceptable in New York; what groups should be included and excluded from workers’ compensation coverage; and the requirements for workers’ compensation coverage for a designated trainer.

The Workers’ Compensation Board representatives were very helpful in identifying issues and recommending possible solutions, as were the two representatives from the New York State Racing & Wagering Board.

There is no question that the matter of workers’ compensation insurance in New York State is very complicated, involving multiple state agencies with divided and competing interests, as well as a multitude of jurisdictional issues. Though there is no quick fix, we believe we have taken the first meaningful steps to address the problems and will be able to fashion appropriate remedies.