Dan Patrick

Lieutenant Governor of Texas

President of the Senate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Contact:
512-463-0715
Lt. Governor Patrick on
Letter to Racing Commission

AUSTIN Today, Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick sent this letter to Texas Racing Commission Chairman
Robert Schmidt urging the commission to repeal historic racing, at their December 15 meeting.
-----------------------------------------------Dear Chairman Schmidt:
Thank you for your service to the State of Texas and your work on the Texas Racing Commission.
I am very hopeful about your upcoming Commission meeting scheduled for December 15, 2015, because
you and your fellow Commissioners have an opportunity to address an important issue.
As I have previously stated, I believe the decision to publish rules for the implementation of historical
racing was not an appropriate action for the Commission. The move runs afoul of the Texas Constitution
and the express desire of many members of the Texas Legislature, including me.
I ask that you take this opportunity to unwind historical racing and return the Commission to its
statutory purpose of enforcing the Texas Racing Act and its rules to ensure the safety, integrity, and
fairness of Texas pari-mutuel racing. Additionally, I am committed to gathering stakeholders together
horse breeders, trainers, and other associated and affiliated agri-business to find ways to improve
opportunities outside of expanding the gambling footprint in Texas. I want to restore certainty and
predictability to the industry and allow them to prosper moving forward.
The equine industry has a long and storied history in Texas, and I look forward to this opportunity to
work together to ensure their long term success.
For Texas,

Dan Patrick
Lieutenant Governor of Texas
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