Even if the thoroughbred industry's slump is partially explained away by a general economic downturn, I'm not sure that's a compelling reason for our government to keep throwing money at it.

At times like this, subsidies for pet businesses and industries are luxuries. You don't pay for luxuries until you have your bills under control.

Just in case I've been missing a basic point...

When the text above says "a drop in wagering revenue" is there a breakdown available by betting (and other revenue) made on the premises by in person transaction... vs electronic betting by bettors in other places? Thanks

The Sun reported that the Governor has requested financial statements, and I would agree with you and the Governor that these statements should be made available. It seems very odd that tracks seek to decrease racing dates, and yet it seems pretty obvious that if you race fewer days, you will have a lower betting handle.

Given the very short sighted effort of the current track owners to reduce Maryland racing to a shortened schedule, it seems the use of the declining handle to demonstrate a business downturn seems at least a bit odd...isn't that what would be expected if you offer your product less often?

Moreover, in addition to a recession,
last year we had record setting bad weather winter. Surely that didn't help the racing business as both costs must rise and racing days and attendance must suffer in such situations.

Delaware passed slots legislation in 1996. West Virginia did the same a few years later, and now Pennyslvania slots supported racing may put every other East coast state to shame. Sadly,
it took years for Maryland to finally respond to the slots legislation of its neighboring states, and this slow response by the Maryland legislature has turned into a tragic example of the State with the most to lose doing nothing, almost as if to to ensure that an historic industry would be lost forever. Surely the Maryland legislators who very belatedly finally produced the response that Maryland is now implementing had a business model that indicated that their plan to place slots at places other than race tracks would restore Maryland racing and
enhance Maryland's ability to
compete with neighboring states who have literally snuck away with Maryland resources and a huge slice of Maryland history and Maryland heritage. Marylanders voted for slots in part to save Maryland racing. If the legislators who crafted the current slots plan either
didn't have the correct facts or didn't have their facts straight, than it seems to me that the Maryland legislature
needs to now correct the situation, and
use the financial statements to construct a revised plan that enables Maryland racing to compete on equal terms with neighboring states.

Marylanders had to wait forever for its legislature to respond.....and it appears the initial response was inadequate and perhaps even misguided. In light of recent events, the legislature can use this as an opportunity to do the job properly, as neighboring states have already demonstrated it is feasible to do so.

It really isn't clear what will happen with the Maryland racing infrastructure closed at Bowie and deteriorating at Laurel Park and Pimlico. It may be that the unused slots locations could be allocated to create an enhanced racing location at either Laurel or Pimlico, or perhaps some exciting new location
in Baltimore or elsewhere. Certainly, and very admirably, the current Governor has done his very best to make things better given the circumstances he inherited. However, the vested interests around the state of Maryalnd, and perhaps especially in the areas around Pimlico and Laurel Park, are going to be looking at their own personal neighborhood versions of Bowie Race Track if they don't rapidly become more proactive and assist the Governor in putting Maryland racing on a path toward a sounder financial future.