It has been more than two weeks now since the Minnesota horse racing industry was forced to shut shop following a government order. This order to shut down of the horse racing industry could result into loss of almost 1000 jobs.
This shut down on horse racing was the result of the closing of Minnesota Racing Commission after Republican legislators and Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton could not work out an agreement on the budget till July 1. The racing at Canterbury Park and Running Aces Harness Track in Columbus has been suspended and despite their appeal that they have paid for regulation, Chief District Judge Kathleen Gearin has ruled against them.
The Head of Minnesota branch of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Tom Metzen stated that without horse racing action soon, the racing and the community that runs it will be severely handicapped. The horse racing community consists of jockeys, trainers and assistants who are highly mobile and will migrate to other states and thus remove their contribution to the local economy.
Dayton is still asking for an agreement on the agreement budget package before he even considers reopening the horse racing tracks.