Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 4 · column 1 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
decision on whether or not Virginia would legalize horse racing was left up to the voters of the Commonwealth. I have kept faith with that effort this year and the issue will go to referendum on the ballot this November. Presidential election years traditionally have a higher voter turnout and I am confident that whatever the outcome this November, the decision will reflect a true majority opinion on this issue from the citizens of Virginia.
For the past eight weeks legislators and citizens alike have asked the question of why this bill was necessry. It responds to an urgent cry for help from an existing industry in Virginia. Race horse breeding, along with the agricultural and consumer businesses dependent upon it, generates more that $300 million a year to Virginia’s economy. It is, however, an industry in severe decline and even dying because states which have legalized horse racing also provide special financial incentives to encourage breeders to foal their mares and book their stallions within rm>e states.
The majority of Virginia breeders have small operations and they
88.7%