The state of New Jersey has extended a purse subsidy package that will provide $20 million in purse funding each year through 2029 across Thoroughbred and harness racing in the state.
Bill A2610 passed unanimously in both houses of the New Jersey legislature Friday (June 28): 76-0 in the assembly and 40-0 in the senate. The vote was previously reported by T.D. Thornton of Thoroughbred Daily News.
The original subsidy bill began in 2019 and was scheduled to last four years. An extension to subsidize purses in 2024 was previously approved. The bill that passed both houses Friday amends the law to extend the purse subsidies through 2029. Though New Jersey governor Phil Murphy did not sign a similar bill after it passed both houses in January, it was one of a dozen spending bills with broad legislative support that he pocket vetoed at the time.