Bill Would Reduce Parimutuel Tax Paid By Horse Tracks

Operators of Emerald Downs are asking state lawmakers for help, saying the Auburn horse racing track needs tax breaks.

A law passed last year to allow the track to take bets on races televised from other states is attracting fans and more horses, backers told a Senate panel Wednesday. But a tax cut is needed to stop a continuing flow of red ink, they added.

Senate Bill 6562 would reduce the parimutuel tax paid by Emerald Downs, Playfair in Spokane and Yakima Meadows. It could save Emerald Downs more than $2 million a year.

SB6668 would delay by five years the repayment of sales taxes incurred when Emerald Downs was built in 1995.

Rather than begin paying about $4.8 million in those taxes in 2002, the track would begin paying in 2007.