The Greater Kansas Racing Alliance is pleased a bill that will advance the Race for Kansas initiative was introduced today in the Federal and State Affairs committee at the Kansas Statehouse. Race for Kansas will bring back one of Kansas’ strongest agricultural industries – horse and Greyhound racing.
The Race for Kansas legislation was introduced by three members of the Kansas House of Representatives – Rep. John Barker (Abilene), chairman of the Judiciary Committee; Rep. Adam Lusker (Frontenac) and Rep. Larry Hibbard (Toronto).
“Race for Kansas will create more than 3,000 jobs and generate millions of dollars worth of revenue in Kansas to help close the budget gap,” said Rep. Barker. He went on to say that he expects a hearing within the assigned committee in the near future to allow legislators to learn about the bill and, most importantly, hear from Kansas farms, ranches and businesses on why this legislation is good for Kansas.
Rep. Lusker joined Representatives Barker and Hibbard in introducing this bill and has supported the return of the Camptown racetrack to Frontenac for many years due to its economic impact in District 2. “It’s a lot of jobs for Crawford County and the surrounding areas of Southeast Kansas,” said Lusker.
All three of the representatives agree that the sooner this legislation is passed and signed by the Governor, the sooner Kansas racetracks can be renovated – bringing countless construction jobs to Kansas, and the sooner each track can begin operations to generate full-time Kansas jobs and revenue.
Rep. Hibbard has seen the adverse impact to Eureka and the surrounding areas since Eureka Downs, a facility in existence for over 100 years, closed almost a decade ago. “This legislation – which would allow for Eureka Downs to operate once again, would be enormous for the town and for Kansas,” said Hibbard.
For more information and to support the initiative, visit www.RaceForKansas.com. Find your legislator and tell them why Race for Kansas is important to you, your business and your community.
