Horse racing in Pennsylvania supports 20,000 jobs, according to the industry, which is supported by hundreds of millions of dollars from slot machines. There is now a push to take some of that money and give it to college students.
Insiders say hold your horses.
Governor Ed Rendell signing Act 71 in 2004. It was called the Race Horse Development and Gaming act.
“Watch the jobs in the horse racing industry double,” Rendell said.
The law legalized casino gambling and steered a cut of slots revenue to the horse racing industry. It’s about $250 million a year — but too much, critics say.
“After 15 years and $3 billion, the horse racing industry is fat and happy but it can’t stand on its own four hooves?” asked Sharon Ward, of Education Voters of Pa.
Ward is with Education Voters of Pa., a group that supports Governor Wolf’s plan to siphon $199 million from horses and bet on college scholarships.
“Imagine if we spent that money on college students who would then be productive and taxpayers in Pennsylvania,” Ward said.
Russell Williams, owner of Hanover Shoe Farms, disagrees…
