After the Florida Senate's Regulated Industries Committee passed Senate Bill 408, which seeks to decouple Thoroughbred racing from gaming in the state, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association said it's not about to give up in its fight to stop the bill.
"The Senate's first of three committee stops showed that there's more work to be done to fight this deeply flawed bill, but this is a fight we can win," said FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell.
The bill, which the Regulated Industries Committee endorsed with a 5-2 vote April 1, still needs to pass the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government as well as the Rules Committee.
"Make no mistake, this legislation would strip away jobs, investment, and a $3.24 billion industry, pushing economic opportunities out of the state," Powell added. "Our Thoroughbred industry is deeply rooted in Florida's agricultural heritage, powering rural communities and fueling local economies. Lawmakers must reject this bill and stand with the hardworking Floridians who keep this agricultural industry and rural Florida thriving."
A group of racing supporters organized a bus trip to Tallahassee to voice their opposition to the bill. Others joined them; roughly 40 people were noted by the committee to oppose the bill but declined the opportunity to speak. Approximately 30 people took the opportunity to share their thoughts—all opposed but one, a lobbyist for The Stronach Group, which operates Gulfstream Park as 1/ST Racing.
Many of the speakers Tuesday pointed out that the bill serves the benefit of The Stronach Group, which is based in Canada.
"Basic business sense tells us we have to grow supply and demand," said trainer Jena Antonucci. "If we are shrinking our racing demand, it makes it virtually impossible to grow our supply side. The consideration of an asset strip of a Canadian company, which is what The Stronach Group is, does not allow us to build on the foundation of free market on the racing side, on the breeding side, on the farm side."
Powell emphasized concerns of prioritizing a Canadian corporation in his statement.
"Florida has always championed rural communities, recognizing agriculture as the backbone of our economy," Powell said. "Senate Bill 408 undermines that legacy, prioritizing Canadian gaming interests over Florida's family farms, small businesses, and horsemen—many of whom shared their heartfelt opposition to the bill."
At the start of Tuesday's committee meeting, Senator Danny Burgess introduced an amendment to the bill. The amendment would not allow decoupling to take effect for seven years. Three years would need to pass before separating racing and gaming could be initiated. There would then be a four-year guarantee of racing. Burgess said that the "current structures and constructs of the purses and the awards" at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs would stay intact for that duration of that span.
He said this amendment would "provide a much bigger runway" and a chance to "talk about viable alternatives" for the racing industry.
