An editorial from The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register
WHEELING, W.Va. — When time expired Saturday night in this year’s regular session of the West Virginia Legislature, the state’s horse- and dog-racing industries had managed to strike a blow against an attempt to reduce the massive subsidies they enjoy.
But the blow was not fatal. Thoughtful, reasonable legislators still can manage a come-from-behind win for taxpayers.
Earlier in the session, House of Delegates members approved a bill that would provide between $35 million and $40 million for the state’s general fund budget in the fiscal year that begins July 1.
As we have reported, the money would have come from three sources related to legalized gambling, including subsidies for horse and dog racing. The two industries rake in about $90 million a year.
Included in the House bill were small, one-year cuts in those subsidies.
But on Saturday night, senators allowed the bill to fall victim to delaying tactics…
