Here are some of the comments from the House debate on SB 1011, the bill to repeal “instant racing” in Idaho:

Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, said, “Let’s look at the evidence. Let’s balance the equities. Economic development, agricultural support, and a source of revenue to the state. Competition is the backbone of capitalism. Evidence here shows that there are limited dollars available for gaming, whether tribal gaming or lottery or both, have adversely affected the horse racing industry, it’s occurred. Clearly these machines are hurting competition.” He said, “We have an opportunity to fix this without this nuclear option. … Here we have an opportunity for an industry, an obviously struggling industry, to pay for itself. … Is it reasonable to cut this industry at the knees?”

Rep. Christy Perry, R-Nampa, said she sponsored the bill two years ago that legalized wagering on “historical horse racing.” “I want to say to you ... in front of God and everybody that I did not lie,” she told the House. “It just makes me sick, because I didn’t lie and there wasn’t a soul who worked on this bill that did. And I’m so upset by that.”

Rep. Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d’Alene, said, “The fiscal note is clearly in error.” He cited taxes paid by racetracks in Idaho. “It is important that we do, when we bring legislation, that we actually clearly state what effect, if it’s known, it will have on the state, and there is an impact it will have in this bill.”

Rep. John McCrostie, D-Boise, said, “This bill is not about the survival of horse racing as an industry. This bill is about the survival of instant horse racing.” He said he went to Les Bois Park, which is in his district, and played the machines. “These machines acted like slot machines, they looked like slot machines, and they kept my money like slot machines,” he said.