CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Despite impassioned pleas by state senators from the Northern Panhandle, the Senate narrowly approved a bill Monday that would do away with greyhound racing at Wheeling Island Casino and Mardi Gras Casino in Nitro by eliminating the Greyhound Breeding Development Fund.
The bill (SB 437), approved 19-15, removes the $15 million annual state subsidy to the fund while allowing the casinos to continue to operate without the racing which is a current requirement in state law.
Senators representing the Wheeling area and counties where the greyhounds are bred and cared for argued against the bill.
“What have we done here the last two-and-a-half months? We’ve attacked wage bonds. We’ve attacked medical monitoring but now everyone wants to get all up and mighty about the dogs. This will hurt people in my area, it will,” Senator Richard Ojeda (D-Logan) said. “Don’t fix something that’s not broke. The dog track’s not broke. People do enjoy come and watching the dogs.”
Senator Ryan Weld (R-Brooke) said Wheeling has heavily depended on the dog racing in its economic turnaround.
“If we see this go away. If we see the racing aspect of Wheeling Island go away. What are we going to see to the loss of the City of Wheeling of what it’s going to be used for in revitalizing its downtown?”
Senator Mike Maroney (R-Marshall) said he’s been told Mardi Gras wants to separate from dog racing and that’s pushing the change.
“Charleston (Mardis Gras in Nitro) doesn’t want it and Wheeling does want it. You’re trying to tell me that the state can’t fix this problem,” Maroney said.
But supporters of the bill argued in tough budget times the state needs to further prioritize funding.
“I can’t go home with a clear conscience and look at my constituents in the eye and tell them that I’m going to subsidize a sporting, gambling event instead of trying to make whole public education, higher education, the sick and the elderly,” Senator Dave Spoilt (R-Preston) said.
Senator Robert Kearns (R-Upsurge) said it was an easy vote.
“This is a simple choice. It’s the dogs or your kids. It’s the dogs or your mom and dad. It’s the dogs or somebody who needs medical help but won’t get it because we didn’t cut the dogs,” Kearns said.
During his town hall meeting on Enthrones “Alkaline” Monday, Go. Jim Justice repeated his support for live racing.
“The dogs as well as people should stand on their own business–they should stand on their own. But at the same time remember, our dogs and our horses brought our casinos and not our casinos brought the dogs and the horses,” Justice said.
The governor did add he’s not going to let the dogs get in the way of coming up with a final budget deal with the legislature.
Industry supporters have said eliminating industry will cost the state more than it saves including 1,700 jobs.
The bill would end the breeding fund and transfer the money to the state Excess Lottery Revenue Fund for appropriation by the legislature. It also provides $1 million for the promotion of the greyhounds for adoption and their transfer to no-kill kennels.
The measure is heading to the House of Delegates for consideration.