News


Lawmaker Pushes Bill To Abolish Arizona Racing Commission
An Arizona lawmaker this week submitted a bill to abolish the state Racing Commission.

Lawmaker Pushes Bill To Abolish Arizona Racing Commission

PHOENIX, AZ—FEBRUARY 15, 2019— Rep. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge this week submitted a bill to abolish the Arizona State Racing Commission just as Gov. Doug Ducey announced the appointment of a new member to the board that regulates Arizona horse racing.

Rep. Shope is sponsoring legislation that would shift all the Arizona Racing Commission's authority to the state Department of Gaming, which already regulates parimutuel wagering to some extent through its Racing Division.

That move comes amid controversy about safety at Arizona horse tracks and turmoil among members of the Racing Commission.

In 2017, Commissioner William "Bill" Feldmeier resigned while criticizing his colleagues. Another commissioner, David Heiple, resigned in December, leaving only three positions filled on the five-member body.

Last month Commissioner Rory Goree blocked a vote on renewal of Turf Paradise's license by storming out of a meeting after decrying a perceived lack of safety in Arizona horse racing. "If we're not as a collective group giving a s--t about security," Goree asked, "how are we giving a s--t about racing? …We have people's lives — and horses' lives — at risk."

Following a report this month in The Arizona Republic, officials with Turf Paradise and the Department of Gaming have said they are investigating why catastrophic injuries at Turf Paradise are twice the national death rate.

On Tuesday Ducey selected Charles "Chuck" Coolidge, a political and corporate campaign executive, to fill one of the commission vacancies. A partner with the Republican-leaning Lincoln Strategy Group, said he was recruited by the Governor's Office and has no ties to horse racing and no history with Turf Paradise or Simms.

Arizona's Racing Commission was created by the Legislature in 1949 to set policy and regulate parimutuel horse and greyhound events. Besides Turf Paradise, the commission oversees Rillito Racetrack in Tucson and Arizona Downs (formerly Yavapai Downs), which is preparing to re-open in Prescott.