Will off-track betting help races?

LINCOLN — This year, Nebraska's horse racing industry is switching steeds.

Industry leaders have dropped a proposal for slot machines at Nebraska racetracks and instead are pushing to legalize off-track betting. Their aim, though, remains the same.

They want to shore up the state's struggling racetracks and replace the Lincoln track at State Fair Park, which is on land being taken over by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for a large planned research park.

“We need to do something to increase our revenue, so we can increase our purses,” said Jerry Fudge, president of the Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

The association's new proposal would allow pari-mutuel betting at satellite facilities — places such as sports bars with televisions to show the races and betting terminals to place wagers.

The facilities would be subject to approval by city or county governing bodies.

Betting at satellite facilities would be authorized by Legislative Resolution 277CA and fleshed out in Legislative Bill 825.

Both were introduced by State Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber.

He said he is concerned about the future of racing in Nebraska — and the breeders, trainers, feed growers and others who make a living from racing.

“If you care enough about it, if you think it's a vibrant enough industry, then you've got to do something to keep it going,” he said.

Fudge said he doesn't know how much additional revenue the satellite facilities might bring in. Nor does he know how many satellite facilities might open, but he said he doesn't expect them in every small town bar.

The state's five tracks have a total handle of about $80 million to $90 million a year, he said.

Fudge said the proposal would not amount to expanded gambling because the state already allows betting on horse races.

He said the satellite facilities would be a way of extending the market to western Nebraska, which has no tracks, he said.

Pat Loontjer of Gambling with the Good Life called the proposal “same old, same old.”

She said anti-gambling activists defeated an off-track betting proposal on the ballot in 1996, and she vowed to do the same if Karpisek's measure makes it.

“The last thing we need is something else sucking the money out of the economy,” she said. “I like horses, but I don't want to subsidize your industry.”

Among other bills introduced Friday:

Ÿ Taxes on gasoline would go up 5 cents to pay for completion of the state's expressway system under LB 796, introduced by Sen. Arnie Stuthman of Platte Center. The tax would end when the expressways are finished. About 180 miles of the system, as conceived 20 years ago, remain to be completed, but the completion is in doubt because of a shortage of road funding.

Ÿ Salaries for the governor and other top elected officers would be rolled back and fixed in the state constitution under a proposal offered by Sen. Jeremy Nordquist of Omaha.

Legislative Resolution 278CA would fix salaries at the level they were in 2006, meaning the governor's pay would drop from $105,000 to $85,000.

If the measure passes, the state's top elected officials could not get raises without another constitutional amendment, similar to pay for lawmakers. Legislative salaries are fixed in the constitution at $12,000 per year.

Ÿ Broad changes in the state's juvenile justice system would be required under LB 800, introduced by Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha.

Among the changes would be fines for the parents of truant children, civil citations for minor offenses by juveniles, graduated sanctions for probation violations and more rapid access to diversion services for nonviolent offenders. Ashford said the changes could save money and help authorities focus on more serious offenders.

Ÿ The Legislature would start down the path toward merging Nebraska's 93 counties under LB 826, introduced by Sen. Rich Pahls of Omaha. The bill directs the Legislature's Planning Committee to develop a plan to reduce the number of counties to “about 30.” A recent study by the Platte Institute for Economic Research, an Omaha-based think tank, concluded that the state could get along with 28 counties.

Ÿ LB 838, introduced by Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh of Omaha, seeks to reduce the inconveniences created by highway construction. The bill would require that contracts include incentives to finish early, disincentives for finishing late and requirements for keeping lane closings to a minimum. Highway and bridge contractors also would have to post signs with the company name and telephone number at road projects.

Contact the writer:

402-473-9583, martha.stoddard@owh.com

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