“Horse racing legislation introduced in Ga. House” plus 2 more |
- Horse racing legislation introduced in Ga. House
- Georgia Legislator Wants Horse Racing in Peach State
- Proposal would allow bets on horse racing
| Horse racing legislation introduced in Ga. House Posted: 08 Feb 2011 11:29 AM PST Horse racing legislation introduced in Ga. House by Rn T.Com  Roddy Mackenzie on Aero (1) of Eldon Farm Racing Stable leads the field in the State Mutual Insurance Company Hurdle race at the Atlanta Steeplechase at Kingston Downs on Saturday, April 25. (Photo by Brittany Hannah/RN-T) This legislation is similar to HR 1177 from the 2009-10 legislative term, also introduced by Rep. Geisinger. "As Georgians across the state continue to struggle to find employment, the legislature must look for new ways to bring much needed jobs to our state," said Representative Harry Geisinger. "Expanding our state's horse industry is a simple way to do just that. The number of jobs created and revenue generated would give Georgia a much needed economic boost." HR 186 would require net revenues and proceeds generated by horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering in Georgia to go into their own unique category of the state budget entitled "Pari-mutuel Wagering Proceeds." The revenues from this budget category could only be used to supplement, not supplant, state funding for: 1) education grants, scholarships, or loans; 2) voluntary prekindergarten programs; and 3) trauma care services. If the amendment is ratified by voters, Rep. Geisinger would introduce enabling legislation that would vest all control of horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering to the Georgia Horse Racing Commission. This Commission would ensure that all pari-mutuel wagering is conducted in accordance with Georgia law at licensed horse racetrack and satellite facilities. Currently, horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering are legal in 38 states. Combined, both contribute a total economic impact of $39 billion to the United States annually. "Major horse racing states like Kentucky, Maryland, New York and Florida contain interconnected interstates that all pass through the state of Georgia," added Rep. Geisinger. "New information suggests that as many as 170,000 plus horses already pass through Georgia over a 14 month period on their way to meets and races in Florida. This logistical situation puts Georgia in a unique position to become a major hub of the equine industry. With correctly timed horse meets and races, Georgia could attract the thousands of horses that already pass through the state while traveling from north to south." In 2009 Rep. Geisinger chaired the House Equine Industry Study Committee. This committee heard from numerous experts who testified to the economic benefits that Georgia would experience if horse racing and parimutuel wagering were legal. Dr. Fisch, President of the Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association, explained that each horse on a racetrack creates seven jobs. The average horse meet will have at least 800-1,000 horses, thus creating approximately 7,000 jobs per meet. Some of these jobs necessary for each horse include trainers, grooms, jockeys, drivers, riders, and veterinarians. Other employment expansion would also include racetrack employees and support for industries such as hotels and restaurants. "The racetrack itself is the very tip of the iceberg as far as economic development is concerned," said Dr. Stephen Fisch during one of the study committee meetings. For more information on the economic impact of the horse industry please visit: http://www.horsecouncil.org/nationaleconomics.php. For specific information about Georgia's existing horse industry please visit: http://www.geepforgeorgia.com/ Representative Harry Geisinger represents the citizens of District 48, which includes portions of Fulton County. He was first elected into the House of Representatives in 1968-1974, and was then was sworn in again in 2005. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee. He also serves on the Children &Youth, MARTOC, Natural Resources & Environment, and Transportation committees. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Georgia Legislator Wants Horse Racing in Peach State Posted: 08 Feb 2011 01:27 PM PST Georgia State Representative Harry Geisinger (R-Roswell) announced Tuesday his filing of House Resolution 186, a constitutional amendment that would allow Georgia voters to decide whether or not to allow horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering in their local municipality. This legislation is similar to HR 1177 from the 2009-10 legislative term, also introduced by Rep. Geisinger. That bill was "recommitted," which means it was sent back to another legislative committee for further consideration. "As Georgians across the state continue to struggle to find employment, the legislature must look for new ways to bring much needed jobs to our state," said Representative Harry Geisinger. "Expanding our state's horse industry is a simple way to do just that. The number of jobs created and revenue generated would give Georgia a much needed economic boost." HR 186 would require net revenues and proceeds generated by horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering in Georgia to go into their own unique category of the state budget entitled "Pari-mutuel Wagering Proceeds." The revenues from this budget category could only be used to supplement, not supplant, state funding for: 1) education grants, scholarships, or loans; 2) voluntary prekindergarten programs; and 3) trauma care services. If the amendment is ratified by voters, Rep. Geisinger would introduce enabling legislation that would vest all control of horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering to the Georgia Horse Racing Commission. This Commission would ensure that all pari-mutuel wagering is conducted in accordance with Georgia law at licensed horse racetrack and satellite facilities. According to a news release from Rep. Geisinger's office, horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering are legal in 38 states. Combined, both contribute a total economic impact of $39 billion to the United States annually. "Major horse racing states like Kentucky, Maryland, New York and Florida contain interconnected interstates that all pass through the state of Georgia," added Rep. Geisinger. "New information suggests that as many as 170,000 plus horses already pass through Georgia over a 14 month period on their way to meets and races in Florida. This logistical situation puts Georgia in a unique position to become a major hub of the equine industry. With correctly timed horse meets and races, Georgia could attract the thousands of horses that already pass through the state while traveling from north to south." Scroll down and use your Facebook Login to share your opinion on whether or not Georgia, or any other state, should have legalized horse racing and betting. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Proposal would allow bets on horse racing Posted: 08 Feb 2011 08:34 PM PST MOULTRIE — A proposal to allow Georgians to wager on horse racing has joined legislation already under consideration to allow voters to decide on Sunday alcohol sales. The legislation on horse racing, HR 186, would allow Georgians to vote on a constitutional amendment allowing for local referendums on the issue. This follows a bill introduced earlier this year that would allow local referendums on Sunday alcohol sales. The revenue from horse racing would go toward education and trauma care services. "As Georgians across the state continue to struggle to find employment, the Legislature must look for new ways to bring much needed jobs to our state," state Rep. Harry Geisinger, the sponsor of the bill, said in a news release. "Expanding our state's horse industry is a simple way to do just that. The number of jobs created and revenue generated would give Georgia a much needed economic boost." Geisinger, R-Roswell, who chaired the House Equine Industry Study Committee in 2009, said that it is estimated that more than 170,000 horses pass through the state pass through Georgia on their way to Florida over a 14-month period for races and events. Horse-racing and pari-mutuel betting are legal in 38 states and have a $39 billion economic impact in the United States. Pari-mutuel betting events brought in $14,213,878 to the state of Florida's coffers during the 2009-2010 budget, a report from the state's Division of Pari-mutuel wagering said. That amount includes all events, not just horse racing. If the constitutional amendment is approved by voters, Geisinger said he would introduce legislation allowing for control of horse racing and associated betting with a state commission which would regulate the industry. Proceeds would be used to supplement, not supplant, education grants, scholarships and loans; voluntary prekindergarten programs; and trauma care services. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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