Bill in Pierre would provide money for horse racing

Aberdeen could benefit from a bill making its way through the Legislature.

A measure for horse racing were discussed at last a recent cracker barrel.

In response to a question asking legislators what bills they were excited about, Rep. Drew Dennert, R-Aberdeen, noted one seeking an emergency appropriation of $600,000 for the state’s special racing revolving fund.

That’s Senate Bill 128, which is awaiting its first reading before the Joint Committee on Appropriations. He said the money would help the two parimutuel horse racing tracks in the state in Aberdeen and Fort Pierre.

“We swept millions out of the horse racing fund during the (Gov. Bill) Janklow administration,” Dennert said. “It’s our obligation to keep it going.”

There has been talk that horse racing in South Dakota is in danger because of a lack of money.

• 10 a.m.-noon Saturday.
• Centennial Rooms in the student center at Northern State University.
• Legislators from districts 1, 2, 3 and 23 are invited. They will offer comments and field questions.
• Free and open to the public.