May 19, 2011 - A bill that would allow the Lincoln horse track to have simulcast races, but contract with another track to do the live racing required by law, passed Wednesday on final reading with just one vote to spare.
The bill (LB256), introduced by Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber, also clarifies state racing commissioners' terms.
Lincoln, which is losing the track at the former State Fair Park because the land is becoming the University of Nebraska Innovation Campus, would be the only track allowed to contract all of its races.
After 15 years, the Lincoln track again would be required to have live racing, as other tracks are. Other tracks would continue to have to conduct at least one live race.
Seventeen senators voted against the bill, including Sens. Mike Flood of Norfolk and Tony Fulton of Lincoln.
Flood said he was not in favor of expanded gambling. Fulton said he questioned the constitutionality of the bill and the continuation of a form of gambling that couldn't otherwise continue.
"I didn't come down here to make sure there were more avenues to gamble," he said.
The Legislature also passed economic development, crime and transportation bills, including these:
