THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 8, 1997 TAG: 9702080431
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 105 lines
Deadline extension to open horse track angers Sen. Stolle
RICHMOND - The General Assembly voted to give Virginia's proposed horse racing track until Sept. 1 to open its doors, an extension that was criticized by some lawmakers who think the track owners are stalling while they tap more money from off-track betting parlors.
A bill that passed the Senate 29-9 Friday gives Colonial Downs a 60-day extension to open its New Kent County horse-racing track. The House of Delegates already approved the measure. It now goes to the governor for his approval.
The extension was considered modest by most, who said it's a common-sense gesture for a track that is already under construction.
But the move angered Virginia Beach Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle, who g2DD8 Ken Stolle
said the track owners have asked for too much already.
``This is the third year in a row they've asked for more time, and now they're only going to have live racing there 30 days a year,'' said Stolle. ``They have off-track betting 365 days a year. My guess is that's not what the General Assembly had in mind.''
Legislators are monitoring Colonial Downs' progress because it was billed as a boon for Virginia's horse breeders. Gambling at off-track betting parlors generates more money than live racing, however.
Critics of parimutuel betting predict that the track will seek slot machines or video lottery machines to make even more money, arguing the revenue is necessary to bring live racing online.
``I wonder what the next compromise we're going to have to come up with to keep these people happy will be,'' Stolle said.
ALSO FRIDAY
A bill that would require the state fire marshal to inspect college student residences was passed by the Senate on Friday.
The fire marshal had stopped the routine annual inspections because of budget cuts, leaving the task largely to the colleges themselves.
The Senate passed a bill requiring the state lottery to print a phone number for Gamblers Anonymous on all lottery tickets.
A House committee decided to put off a bill that would have granted immunity to employers giving references about former employees, instead sending it off for further study.
STATUS REPORT
The status of some of the major legislation in the 1997 General Assembly:
Taxes and spending:
SB1089, Y.B. Miller, revising the unemployment trust fund formula in an attempt to lower taxes paid by businesses. Passed Senate, passed House committee.
SB750, Colgan, to repeal the personal property tax and replace it with an increase in the state sales tax. Failed in Senate.
Education:
HB2212, Diamonstein, dissolving the State Council of Higher Education, which is appointed by the governor, and reconstituting it with six members appointed by the governor and five by the legislature. Passed House, in Senate committee.
Public safety:
SB994, Stolle, to allow joint trials of drug gang members. Passed Senate, in House committee.
Public life:
HB2089, Watkins, requiring lobbyists to report entertainment expenses greater than $25 instead of over $100. Passed House, in Senate committee.
HB2090, Watkins; SB813, K.G. Miller, lowering from $200 to $25 the value of gifts that state officials must disclose. Passed House, in Senate committee; passed Senate, in House committee.
HB2549, Cranwell, to allow alternative, publicly financed campaigns. Killed in House committee.
NOTICED & NOTED
After a grueling workweek, lawmakers cleared out early Friday.
WHAT'S NEXT
Monday's sessions start at noon.
STAYING IN TOUCH
CONSTITUENT VIEWPOINTS - A toll-free hot line to give commonwealth citizens the opportunity to express their views on issues before the General Assembly: (800) 889-0229
For more information:
The Clerk's Office
House of Delegates
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Va. 23218
(804) 786-6530
The Clerk's Office
Senate of Virginia
P.O. Box 396
Richmond, Va. 23218
(804) 786-3838
ONLINE INFORMATION:
See Pilot Online's Virginia Voter Net to read and track bills, check local legislators' contact information and legislation, and review Pilot coverage. The Web address is http://www.pilotonline.com/voter/ MEMO: Staff writer Robert Little and The Associated Press contributed to
this report.
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997 PROPOSED BILL