Marion County horse racing officials are breathing a sigh of relief now that the latest decoupling bill did not pass the state legislature.
A March 13 news release from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association notes that this year’s version of the decoupling legislation failed to reach the governor’s desk.
“HB881 passed the House but companion bill SB1564 never received a hearing in the Senate,” the release notes.
It’s expected that a special session will be called to finish work on the state budget, and FTOB officials said they “will remain vigilant throughout any extended proceedings.”
“Decoupling has stalled again. Once more, the FTBOA and our industry partners defended Florida’s thoroughbred industry. We thank the industry partners who stood united against this legislation, the 34 House members who voted ‘no,’ and the Senate for declining to advance SB1564,” said Lonny Powell, FTOB CEO, in a statement.
Working toward a resolution?
Powell has called for what he calls “a global gaming solution designed by Floridians, for Floridians.”
According to Powell, “That will require alignment among the House, Senate, governor and the Seminole Tribe, whose gaming compact represents a model of good-faith partnership with the state.”
“Piecemeal attempts like repeated decoupling bills, and any effort to push the edges of the Tribal Gaming Compact or current law, will not lead to viable solutions for our industry or for the state,” Powell said.
If the bill was successful, then decoupling would give the state’s two racetracks, Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream, the ability to operate gambling devices without offering live horse racing.
Another entity that was pleased with the outcome is the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative, or TRI, of which Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. (OBS) is a member.
In a post on X, TRI states: “We are proud that, for the second year in a row, decoupling legislation before the Florida Legislature has been defeated by our industry-wide coalition representing owners, trainers, breeders, veterinarians, sales companies and the many small businesses that create the thoroughbred industry’s massive ecosystem.”
The post thanked the elected leaders for understanding the $3.2 billon annual economic impact equaling 33,500 jobs. Similar to the FTOB, TRI officials are looking for ways for a longterm solution.
Those backing decoupling said it would stabilize horse racing. Others disagree, saying it would severely damage the state’s thoroughbred industry.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Horse Capital of the World: Relief that decoupling did not pass
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
