We sat down with Chandler Woodcock, executive director of the Maine Harness Horsemen's Association to discuss the Legal and Veteran's Affairs Committee Meeting that was held on Monday.

Oh, it was an exceptional turnout. We actually had the LVA room on the 4th floor of the Capital Hall overflow, standing room only out into the corridor. They had a supplement room next door full, and we had the welcome center downstairs that had a dozen or so people, so I would say the crowd bordered on 100 easily, 100 or more.

Absolutely, they do. I think they are influenced by numbers, sometimes more than discussion. Discussion can become tedious at times. In my time in the Senate, when you look around and see all these people, it does leave an impression on you. I’m very pleased the horsemen showed up because it does make a big difference.

They did. We had a wonderful group testifying. We had several young ladies testify, a couple of old-timers like me, we had all walks of life. We had a farrier, a veterinarian, grooms, owners. It was a wide range of people testifying. It was a great cross section and they put up a great presentation on behalf of our industry.

They’ve been charged with four meetings, they have another one coming up on October 13th. That will not be a public session; normally that’s a work session. That means the public is certainly able to attend and I invite anyone to do so, but, generally speaking only the committee can ask questions and discuss things amongst themselves. And they discuss what kind of vote they are going to eventually put out.

They actually have been charged with being able to institute some type of legislation. They are going to report on the racino cascade and that’s a broad spectrum of reporting. They can make recommendations. I’m sure they will.

An example is that many of us focus on the possibility of the state making more money, and certainly, the exceptional need of oversight of internet and telephone wagering and the monies that are lost because of those transactions that take place. They could stick that in the report because it’s part of the racino cascade in a transcendent way, but they also have the opportunity to institute some legislation The x-factor in this, of course, is that we have an election coming up in November. They are going to be submitting this report/potential legislation to a new legislative body and a new governor. There are a lot of things in the mix right now.

I just want to say, the frustration for most of us in the industry, is the basic concept that this money is a subsidy of the state. It is not. Many of the people on the other side of the microphone; the legislators; feel that this is state money that is being doled out to the harness racing industry. It never has been. It was a private arrangement between Shawn Scott, originally, and then Penn National, eventually, and the harness racing industry and negotiated at length back in 2003. Beyond that, it never became a public funding mechanism. What we are trying to do is impress upon them, frankly, this is not your money. This is our money and it was designed to give a boost to harness racing, to supplement the purses, to help with the breeders program, and to be able to take harness racing and make it a more viable industry. It is doing that currently. This is not the time to be making changes in a negative fashion to an industry that is beginning to find its balance again. I think that the focus was clear yesterday that those who testified were saying it’s our money. Give us an opportunity to grow. We will be more successful than we are now if you just leave us alone.

I think there are many things that the horsemen can do to help the cause. One thing they can do is to contact a legislator. Contact their local legislator or contact a member of the legal and veteran affairs committee (that can be found here).

If one of the members lives in your district, call them up how you feel about harness racing. Be polite, don’t lecture them and certainly don’t talk down to them. This is a group that you need to be respectful of. They are elected officials of the state and they are examining our revenue so be respectful of them and voice your opinion on how this money needs to stay intact and the cascade shouldn’t be changed.

You can also write a letter to the newspaper. Put your name on it and tell them exactly how much this business means to you and to have the opportunity to have some more or leave the money intact means to you as an individual. Those are all important things. It doesn’t seem like much sometimes. People get frustrated because they think “my vote doesn’t mean anything.” Not true. If everyone had that attitude we’d end up with a 0-0 tie on Election Day. That’s not good for the system. Vote, and know who you are voting for on Election Day; people that support our industry