Support the Horse Industry, Support Phil Murphy!
-- Ken Weingartner
MANALAPAN, NJ -- May 11, 2017 -- Phil Murphy, the front-runner in the race among Democrats to represent the party in November’s general election for governor, met with horsemen and horsewomen on May 4 at Deo Volente Farms and said he is committed to helping struggling New Jersey industries --- including horseracing --- regain their edge both locally and nationally.
Murphy met with a large group at a fundraiser sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey and TrotPAC, the organization’s political action committee, and hosted by Deo Volente Farms, and said it was time for the equine industry to get back on its feet to the benefit of all residents of the Garden State.
“There are a couple of industries in this state that we used to own,”
Murphy said. “The equine industry is on the list. And it’s high on the list. And (what has happened) doesn’t make any sense. You look at the thousands of jobs, the millions in economic benefit, and the open space benefits that are provided to a state that is the densest state in the nation. Getting the open space and environment right is a pass/fail test; you can’t get a B-plus in that in New Jersey.
“I’m an optimist. I believe the position we’re in as a state is due to a failure of leadership. It’s not that the people got bad or our assets got impaired or our prospects got diminished. This is bad leadership. I believe the right leader with the right priorities, who is committed to governing this state and nothing else, goes a long way toward beginning the process to getting back on our feet.
“We’re going to get our edge back.”
Letter to Horsemen
March 31, 2016
LETTER TO HORSEMEN FROM TROTPAC
- From Anthony Perretti, Chairman of TrotPAC
MANALAPAN, NJ – March 23, 2016 -- On behalf of the trustees at TrotPAC, I am seeking your financial support to aid in TrotPAC’s efforts to revitalize standardbred racing in New Jersey.
TrotPAC works in conjunction with the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey and is the official political action committee for New Jersey’s harness racing industry. In the wake of recent changes at the SBOANJ, there has been some confusion over just where donations to the political action committee should be sent.
Make no mistake, TrotPAC is the political action arm of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey and is duly sanctioned to raise and distribute revenues for the specific purpose of the betterment of the New Jersey standardbred breeding and racing industry. This is done with the aid of our industry’s official lobbyists at Advocacy & Management Group, Inc., a firm active at the State Capitol in Trenton.
As you may be aware, the state legislature recently approved a referendum that will be on the ballot in November which will address the approval of casinos in north Jersey. The harness racing industry will directly benefit by the establishment of gaming outside of Atlantic City, allowing our industry in New Jersey to finally have the opportunity to resurrect itself to a competitive level on par with our neighboring states.
New Jersey Horse Racing = New Jersey Farms
The future of NJ horse racing and breeding is threatened from casinos located at Pennsylvania and New York racetracks. Horses, their trainers and owners, all are taking their business out of New Jersey. Even the Atlantic City casinos are feeling the heat as many New Jersey residents spend their gaming and entertainment dollars out of state. Thousands of agricultural jobs and tens of thousands of productive farm acres could be lost if the state of New Jersey continues to allow gaming only at Atlantic City
New Jersey horsemen and farmers are only asking for a level playing field. NJ needs new revenue streams and a Casino at the Meadowlands will bring back lost revenue.
It would mean:
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