AUGUSTA – Veterinarian Denise McNitt, the star of ads last fall urging voters to approve slot machines for tracks, was back in the spotlight Thursday when she and horsemen visited the State House to demand lawmakers remove a proposed racino tax, which they said threatens a planned Bangor racino.

Penn National has planned to install 1,500 slot machines at the Bangor racetrack it owns. But spokesman Eric Schippers has said that if the state insists on a 1 percent share of the total amount wagered – or 10 percent of the cut – it would mean either abandoning or scaling back on the racino.

During a press conference, horsemen said they wanted the racino regulation bill changed, so that the 1 percent is removed. The bill has been approved in all but final votes in the House and Senate and appears destined to be sent to the governor in the next day or two.

If no change is made, “the entire project may fall apart,” said Bill Childs of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. “The industry is at risk. The project is at risk. We need some attention from the legislature,” he said.
The edge of disaster’
Representing the Maine Harness Horsemen Association, McNitt said the racino “that we worked so long and hard for is on the edge of disaster. With the increased tax rate, the operator will find it untenable to put slots in Bangor.”

Bill Hathaway of Turner, the association’s executive secretary who owns four racehorses, said the racino is close to happening, but the tax rate should be lowered “taking into consideration we’re in Bangor, Maine, not Las Vegas, Nevada, for the amount that’s going to be bet.”

Horsemen said they don’t like an offer from the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes that, if Penn National abandons the racino, the tribes would step in, backed with money from the Foxwoods casino. The tribes don’t have experience running tracks and racinos, Penn National does, Childs said.

Everyone is tired of dealing with racino proposals, McNitt said. “So let’s go back upstairs. Let’s think this back over, and let’s get this done,” she said.

Some lawmakers, however, weren’t willing Thursday to get it done the way Penn National and horsemen want.
A closed issue?
“As far as I’m concerned, L.D. 1820 is closed,” said Rep. Patricia Blanchette, D-Bangor, a former city councilor who has worked closely on the bill. If Penn decides to abandon the racino, so be it, she said. “Somebody else will take it over,” Blanchette said.

“This was something worked out with the committee and everyone was signed off,” said Senate Majority Sharon Treat, D-Farmingdale. “Now there’s disagreement at a very late date. It’s hard for me to imagine the Senate amending the bill to give a larger percentage to Penn National.”

Gov. John Baldacci said it would be “unfortunate” if Penn National did not build the racino. Because voters supported it, “I want this to be up and running. … If it’s not going to be Penn National, hopefully it could be someone else.”

Baldacci washed his hands on the 1 percent tax, saying it was legislators who came up with the formula. He said his interest is that the racino be properly regulated and “not cost the state anything.”

Rep. Gary Moore, R-Standish, has agreed to work on removing the 1 percent. House Minority Leader Joe Bruno, R-Raymond, said he’d support the removal. If people want Penn National to come to Maine, the 1 percent should be removed, Bruno said Thursday.
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