PA Slots Fund for Racing In Jeopardy?

[Wallyhorse2]

I was originally alerted to the following on The Derby List:

http://standardbredcanada.ca/notices/7-13-09/pa-house-threatens-to-cut-racing-fund.html

Apparently, according to the article, Harness Horsemen have expressed serious concern that ACT 71, which funds purses from slots in PA could be cut entirely or severely reduced because of those in the PA House who see it as a way to have a short-term fix of the current defecit. There is as a document (PDF File) on the PA Harness situation that can be found at:

http://media.live.harnesslink.com/files/f1247492704.doc.pdf

While obviously, this seems to for now be more of a harness horsemens concern for now, it should be a concern to all in Pennsylvania that have seen the purses skyrocket in the last few years (especially at Philadelphia Park and Penn National), with those only going higher in the next few years as new, stand-alone casinos open in Philadelpha in particular.

In my opinion, I don't think that would pass so quickly. The damage would be too much, especially with a new track (Valley View Downs) currently in development. The Harness Horsemen should be concerned, but if the people in the PA House have any sense, they would see it would be far more detrimental for the fund to be reduced or cut entirely.