Page 120 - March 2017

Story by Debbie Schauf, OQHRA Executive Director
2017 OQHRA Legislative Dinner • Heritage Place, Oklahoma City, OK February 22, 2017 • Photos by Heather Ridgway, Speedhorse
Heritage Place in Oklahoma City was the scene of the 2017 Annual OQHRA Legislative Dinner on Tuesday evening, February 21st. The highlight of the evening meal included 25 pounds of Jumbo Gulf Shrimp served on ice surrounding an ice sculpture in the shape of the OQHRA logo and a whole roasted pig that was served with orange honey glazed pulled pork, sliced smoked brisket, and baby back ribs.
This year’s participation by the legislature was excellent, with over 45 members stopping
by to eat throughout the evening. Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese, State Auditor Gary Jones, and Minority House Leader Scott Inman, who brought his family, also attended the event.
Discussions with the legislators focused,
as it has for several years, on the need to adequately fund the Oklahoma Horse
Racing Commission and the significance
of horse racing in Oklahoma as a revenue generating agency for the State. This year the OQHRA, TRAO (Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Organization), and the racetracks are all sup- porting two important pieces of legislation, and legislators were asked to give those two bills their full support.
HB 1836 eliminates the unnecessary restriction placed on hours of operation at the racetrack. If approved, it will generate as much
as $3 million in additional revenue for educa- tion and the State General Fund.
HB 1858 will make the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission (OHRC) a non-appropri- ated agency. The OHRC received $1.7 million for FY2017 in appropriated funds from the legislature. HB 1858 does not impact the gaming revenue percentages, which have historically generated over $20 million annually for the State to be used 88% for education and 12% to the general revenue fund. However, by becoming a non-appropriated agency, the saving to the state will be approximately $508,000 and will allow the agency adequate funds to provide the regula- tory oversight necessary to insure the integrity of the wagering and welfare of the horses.
The elected officials were reminded that the horse industry is very healthy with a $3.6 billion economic impact, and that it generates over $100 million annually in sales and property tax income for the state in addition to the Education and General Revenue funds from the gaming at Remington Park and Will Rogers Downs.
Some of the legislators attended for the 10th or 11th straight year, and horsemen were thrilled that many of the newly elected legisla- tors also came and enjoyed mingling with the OQHRA membership. The OQHRA has hosted this type of reception every year since in 1998.
Representative Claudia Griffith & Senator Larry Boggs
118 SPEEDHORSE, March 2017
Deb & Tim Williams