Horsemen: Jobs at Risk Over Raid of Fund

Some of our local horsemen traveled to Harrisburg this week to talk about the economic success of the Race Horse Development Fund, and the risks to the state’s economy if the fund is raided to plug budget holes.

When Pennsylvania legalized gaming in 2004, a prime motivator was the revival of the horse racing industry, a key component of the state’s agriculture economy and tradition. The Race Horse Development Fund is fueled by 11 percent of slot machine proceeds.

Gov. Tom Corbett’s 2012-13 budget calls for taking $72 million from the fund to plug other holes in the agriculture budget.  

Since the fund was created, it has become a model for surrounding states which have emerged as competitors while Pennsylvania has returned to the top tier of racing states, industry officials said.

 I requested the hearing out of concern for the 225 jobs at —and those of another 1,000 horsemen—that are supported by racing at the local track.

Clearly, the race horse fund has done what it was intended to do, and it has done it through tough economic times. If Pennsylvania is going to recover from the recession, we have to keep what’s working and cut what’s not working.  Raiding the race horse fund would be shortsighted.

Bill Honoring Local Hero Passes Senate

This week, the Senate today unanimously passed my bill dedicating the interchange of Exit 6 on Interstate 70 in Claysville as the Sgt. Nathan P. Kennedy Memorial Interchange.

Kennedy was only 24 years old when was killed while on foot patrol in Afghanistan two years ago. He died three weeks before his scheduled return home from a second tour of duty.

Thousands of people who travel that section of highway will be reminded every day that Sgt.t Kennedy made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Nothing we do can repay the sacrifice he and his family made for their country, but we can make sure that we never forget.

A 2004 graduate of McGuffey High School, Kennedy was a U. S. Army Ranger, serving as a sniper assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division based at Fort Carson, CO. He was the son of Joseph Kennedy and the late Penelope Henry Kennedy. Senate Bill 1177 directs PennDOT to put signs in the area marking the dedication. The bill now heads to the House.

Bill Will Help Hazmat Directors Respond Quickly

The Senate this week unanimously passed a bill that I amended to help county hazmat directors respond more quickly to emergencies.

The amendment, identical to my stand-alone Senate Bill 1010, allows the personal vehicles of county hazmat directors to be considered emergency vehicles when they are responding to emergencies.

The components of Senate Bill 1010 were amended into Senate Bill 1067, another bill dealing with emergency vehicles, during the appropriations meeting. SB1067 now goes to the House for consideration.

Coming up...Business-to-business expo

The Tri-County Oil and Gas Expo Committee is hosting a Business-to-Business Expo on May 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Washington County Fairgrounds.  The group is also hosting a Marcellus Mingle on Friday, May 18, from 5 to 9 p.m.  

The events are great opportunities to see how the growing energy industry could benefit your business or get your business in front of energy executives.

Registration is easier than ever and just a click away.  For more information, click here.

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