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KEEP To Host Horse Industry Advocacy Event

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) announced that it will host a horse industry advocacy event at Midway University Tuesday, Sept. 6, from 5-7 p.m.

Participants in Kentucky's signature horse industry are invited to attend to learn about legislative issues that can impact their equine business, how to engage in the legislative process, and how to best communicate with lawmakers.

In addition to representatives from KEEP and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, speakers include Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, Senate Minority Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas and Representative Matt Koch.

Candidates for contested open legislative seats are also invited to provide them with an opportunity to meet with horse industry participants.

Individuals interested in attending the event should RSVP to Brittany Bell at brittany@horseswork.com.

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Legislative Committee Formed To Assess Tax Structure Of Historical Horse Racing

Sen. Damon Thayer and Rep. Adam Koenig have been appointed co-chairs of the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force, which will study the taxes and rates related to horse racing, the impact that changing the rates would have, and the funds relating to the horse industry which receive historical horse racing tax receipts, eventually determining if any changes to those tax rates should be made.

Thayer is the Senate majority leader and a former racing executive, while Koenig sponsored the bill in the House clarifying the legal status of HHR machines.

Other members of the committee include: Julie Raque Adams, Christian McDaniel, Stephen West, Jonathan Dixon, Al Gentry, Matthew Koch, and Jason Petrie.

The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky's equine economic advocate, released the following statement on the appointment of the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force:

“The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) commends the appointment of the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force, the first step in ensuring an equitable tax rate for historical horse racing (HHR) that will result in increased revenue for the state and promote continued growth for Kentucky's nation-leading horse industry.

“During the legislative session when the preservation of HHR was discussed, Kentucky's horse industry pledged to work with the legislature to assess the tax structure of HHR, how those funds are allocated, what the impact would be on the industry and Kentucky's economy if the tax rates are changed, and determine if any changes should be made to the existing structure.

“KEEP stands ready to work with the Task Force and be part of the conversation on HHR to ensure that entire horse industry – all breeds and disciplines – continues to see benefit from HHR through incentive funds and other state programs. Additionally, it is paramount that changes to the tax structure of HHR are not detrimental to the horse industry's 60,000 direct and indirect jobs and its $6.5 billion impact on Kentucky's economy. KEEP looks forward to working closely with the Task Force to accomplish these goals.

“KEEP extends its gratitude to Representative Matt Koch and Representative Ruth Ann Palumbo for their legislative efforts to establish this Task Force.”

The post Legislative Committee Formed To Assess Tax Structure Of Historical Horse Racing appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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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.”

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.

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Keeneland To Host Horsemen For Historical Horse Racing Legislative Informational Session On Feb. 1

Horsemen and state leaders will convene in support of Historical Horse Racing at the Keeneland Entertainment Center on Feb. 1 at 6:00 p.m., according to the Kentucky Equine Education Project. The meeting is also being hosted by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club, and is presented by Breeders' Cup and Jackson Kelly PLLC.

“As you know, HHR is under threat following the Kentucky Supreme Court's ruling that called into question the legality of HHR,” KEEP said in a release calling for industry support of the Feb. 1 event. “Now it is up to the state legislature to take action to preserve HHR and its unparalleled impact on Kentucky's horse industry.”

According to the Blood-Horse, the Feb. 1 panel will be led by Kentucky State Rep. Matt Koch (Republican, Paris), and will include Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (Republican, Georgetown), Rep. Adam Koenig (Republican, Erlanger), and Sen. John Schickel (Republican, Union), as well as Kentucky Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Ashli Watts.

COVID-19 protocols will be enforced at the event, which is currently filled to capacity. To sign up to watch the live stream, follow this link.

The Kentucky Supreme Court issued a brief statement last Thursday in which it declined to reconsider its unanimous decision on historical horse racing machines issued on Sept. 24, 2020. In response, both Keeneland and Red Mile temporarily shut down historical racing operations over the weekend.

Legislation to legalize Historical Horse Racing in Kentucky has not yet been introduced, but KEEP said it expects that legislation sooner rather than later. The session resumes on Feb. 2.

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