Dear Representative Moore,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our strong support for your amendment to the Farm Bill, or H.R. 7567, the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act,” that would protect critical funding for the pension systems of law enforcement officers and other first responders in West Virginia by exempting the State from the legislation’s ban on greyhound racing.
West Virginia is the only State that still has legal greyhound tracks in operation. Revenue from these tracks fund roughly 40% of the pensions for law enforcement officer and other first responders. Specifically in Wheeling, these pensions receive approximately $255,000 annually through a revenue sharing agreement with the racetrack, which supports more than 300 active, retired or disabled law enforcement officers, other first responders, and their surviving spouses. In the context of the Farm Bill, this may seem like a small amount, but at the State level this funding is irreplaceable. This revenue stream could not be replaced without sacrificing other critical services.
Your amendment would allow greyhound racing to continue in West Virginia, by grandfathering the State’s greyhound racetracks from the national ban, thereby preserving the pension systems of the men and women who risk their lives every day to protect the citizens of Wheeling and the State of West Virginia.
On behalf of the 382,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, thank you for your efforts to protect the pensions of these law enforcement officers and fire fighters. If I can be of any additional assistance on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President