kentucky legislature | Horse Racing Free Tips

Kentucky Legislative Bill Supports New School Of Veterinary Medicine At Murray State

Progress towards a new School of Veterinary Medicine at Murray State University continues to be made, as the Kentucky House of Representatives passed House Bill 400 Feb. 15, the institution of higher learning said in a release late Thursday.

After advancing from the House Agriculture Committee Feb. 7, the bill, introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chair Richard Heath, would amend the existing state statute to allow Murray State to offer doctoral degrees required to become licensed in veterinary medicine.

A complementary piece of legislation, Senate Bill 189, was introduced by Senator Jason Howell.

“We are very grateful for the support of our legislators in working toward the development of a new School of Veterinary Medicine at Murray State University,” Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson said.

Kentucky is one of more than 20 states without a School of Veterinary Medicine. In the United States, there are only 33 veterinary colleges accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 86,300 veterinarians in the United States and this occupation is expected to grow by over 19% by 2031. The BLS also reports a total of 122,800 veterinarian technologists/technicians are working today and the field is expected to grow by 20% by 2031.

Murray State's Hutson School of Agriculture has the largest estimated pre-veterinary medicine/veterinary technology enrollment of any university in Kentucky, and is just one of three programs in Kentucky that is fully accredited by the AVMA.

The post Kentucky Legislative Bill Supports New School Of Veterinary Medicine At Murray State appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

KEEP Applauds Work Of Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) released the following statement following the final hearing of the Kentucky General Assembly's Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force:

KEEP is grateful to the legislators that served on the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force for their thorough and fair-minded examination of the many facets of Kentucky's horse industry, the industry's economic ecosystem, how the industry impacts the state, and the potential outcomes of adjusting the current varying tax rates on the different forms of pari-mutuel wagering.

KEEP was honored to be asked to testify during one of the five public hearings held by the Task Force. Elisabeth Jensen, KEEP's Executive Vice President who oversees the daily operations of the organization, provided testimony on the current state of Kentucky's entire horse industry, all breeds and disciplines, and its economic impact on the state including tourism, equine events, educational opportunities, the ripple effects across other sectors throughout the state, and more.

KEEP applauds the Task Force for its work on its final report and is supportive of the final recommendations that will be considered by the General Assembly during the next legislative session. KEEP looks forward to working closely with the legislature as it considers the Task Force's recommendations.

ABOUT KEEP
The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky's equine economic advocate, is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky's signature multi-breed horse industry. KEEP is committed to ensuring Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world, including educating Kentuckians and elected officials of the importance of the horse industry to the state. KEEP was the driving force in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, which has paid out more than $177 million to Kentucky breeders since its inception in 2006, and pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, which has been responsible for more than $50 million to purses and more than $24 million to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.

KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, please visit www.horseswork.com.

The post KEEP Applauds Work Of Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Kentucky Legislature Broadens Definition Of Property Destruction To Include Livestock

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), Kentucky's equine economic advocate, released the following statement regarding the Kentucky Legislature's passage of HB 229:

“We applaud the Kentucky Legislature's passage of HB 229. By broadening the definition of property destruction crime to include livestock, this legislation is a big step forward in further deterring the abuse of horses. KEEP has long been a leader in advocating for the health and welfare of Kentucky's horses and is wholeheartedly supportive of this legislation.

“KEEP is grateful to Representative Matt Koch for his work to advance this legislation. Representative Koch is a champion for Kentucky's horse industry and community and we appreciate his work to ensure that the horse industry's $5.2 billion economic impact on the state continues to grow.”

The post Kentucky Legislature Broadens Definition Of Property Destruction To Include Livestock appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Gov. Beshear Calls On Kentucky Lawmakers To Be ‘Bold,’ Approve Historical Horse Racing, Sports Wagering

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear fortified his positions on historical horse racing and sports wagering on Wednesday evening, calling on lawmakers to be “bold” and approve both during the 2021 General Assembly which begins on Jan. 5, reports the Kentucky Herald-Leader. Gov. Beshear's comments were made in a 20-minute speech he gave to the virtually-held legislative preview conference for the Kentucky Chamber.

Gov. Beshear has long been a supporter of both historical horse racing and sports wagering. The former has come under fire in 2020, however, due to a Kentucky Supreme Court decision in September which declared at least one version of historical horse racing terminal to not constitute pari-mutuel wagering, and thus to be illegal.

In response to the state's Supreme Court ruling, Churchill Downs has halted major construction projects at both it's Louisville, Ky. flagship track and at the recently-purchased Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.

Gov. Beshear urged lawmakers to legalize historical horse racing in support of Kentucky jobs and the over $21 million it contributes to the state's budget.

Read more at the Kentucky Herald-Leader.

The post Gov. Beshear Calls On Kentucky Lawmakers To Be ‘Bold,’ Approve Historical Horse Racing, Sports Wagering appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post