Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania General Assembly has passed a $40.8 billion budget for fiscal 2021-22, and horseracing industry stakeholders in the state noted that no money was diverted from the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund Trust to pay for other programs.

On June 25, the House of Representatives passed the fiscal plan by a vote of 140-61, while the Senate approved it by a vote of 43-7. It now awaits the signature of Gov. Tom Wolf, who according to media reports indicated he will sign the document.

Earlier this year, Wolf for the second time in two years proposed shifting about $200 million a year from the PRHDFT to pay for a college scholarship program. Lawmakers again rejected the proposal, which was opposed by the Pennsylvania Equine Coalition, a partnership of horsemen’s associations and breeders’ organizations in Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing in the state.

The budget was briefly discussed during the June 29 Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission meeting. The PHRC regulates the industry under the state Department of Agriculture.

In other business at the PHRC meeting:

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino was granted approval to alter first post time on three Fridays — July 16, July 30 and Aug. 20. Post time will move to 5 p.m. from the customary 12:45 p.m. The July 30 program falls on the eve of the Adios which again will be broadcast during a five-hour livestream, said Kim Hankins, executive director of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association.

In addition, PHRC officials noted that The Meadows recently underwent an “enforcement action” during which vehicles and barns were searched, and they reported that nothing was discovered. Similar visits were held at Parx Racing and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course as part of an integrity program that was briefly shelved last year because of COVID-19 complications.

“The enforcement actions are being stepped up and will continue throughout the year,” Standardbred Bureau director Tony Salerno said.

Barry Brown, director of racing operations at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack, noted that with about one-third of the 2021 harness meet in the books, there have been two days on which pari-mutuel handle exceeded $1 million. Overall, he said wagering has been strong. Brown also said that plans are underway for a 15th anniversary celebration on Sept. 10, when first post time will move to 6:30 p.m.

Russell Williams, president and chief executive officer of Hanover Shoe Farms, told PHRC members that with 10 days left in this year’s breeding season, “it looks like a record year for breeding in Pennsylvania.” Williams said he would follow up at the July meeting with more details.

Parx Racing received PHRC approval to relocate its shuttered Oaks Race and Sports Book near Valley Forge to Malvern as part of a partnership with a Chickie’s & Pete’s sports bar. The facility would offer sports and pari-mutuel wagering in an 8,500-square-foot space adjacent to the restaurant. Parx has a similar arrangement with a Chickie’s & Pete’s in Egg Harbor Township, N.J.

Parx Racing chief operating officer Joe Wilson noted that only two of the 23 original-model off-track betting parlors in Pennsylvania — the South Philadelphia Race and Sports Book and the Downs at Lehigh Valley — remain operational. Wilson told the commission the new facility could be one of several as the company works on a more efficient and successful OTB model.