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Racing subsidy hike defeated

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004 | 9:05 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The state Senate on Monday voted down a proposed $17 million increase in annual subsidies to Indiana's horse-racing industry.

Supporters of the increased subsidies said the move would raise purses at the state's two pari-mutuel tracks and bolster the industry statewide. The increase also was expected to lessen the push for pull-tab machines, which are similar to slots, at horse racing venues.

But Democratic opponents of the subsidy increase said that money could have gone toward paying for full-day kindergarten, a proposal Republican legislators had said was too expensive as the state faces a $1 billion budget deficit. Democrats said the kindergarten proposal should be a higher priority than horse-racing subsidies.

The Republican-controlled Senate Finance Committee on Thursday had voted 8-7 to increase the subsidy, which comes from a portion of admission taxes levied on casinos and was capped two years at $27 million.

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