from Harness Tracks of America

Tucson, AZ — There is nervous speculation in New Jersey as to Gov. Chris Christie’s possible reactions to his legislature’s rebuff in restoring $30 million over three years for racing.

He could sign the measure and let peace reign. He could exercise a line-item veto, and send it back to the legislature for another vote; or, it has been suggested, he could get cute and exercise what has been called “a not now but later” veto. In that scenario, he could sign the bill and allow it to pass as approved by his legislature, and then step in and have his racing commission, which was delegated the power of distributing the money by the legislation, ignore the measure and never make a distribution.

Horsemen’s president Tom Luchento expressed his members’ concern when he asked, “Do you think he’d be that devious?” and added, hopefully, “I think if he gives the money to us, he’ll do it wholeheartedly.”