April 21, 2025
To: All FHBPA Members
From: Tom Cannell President FHBPA
Good afternoon:
We are reaching out to provide you with a quick update regarding the current Florida legislative session on the Thoroughbred decoupling issue. The FHBPA has been actively engaged on this issue from the beginning and working on your behalf to protect Florida racing.
The legislative session officially began on March 4, and the FHBPA was ready with our lobbyist, communications team, and attorneys fully engaged. Much of our work has been behind the scenes, but we have also been present at every Committee Meeting in both the House and Senate. We have also been communicating with individual legislators to make sure they understand how the proposal could affect all of you. We have been in touch and coordinated with other industry groups and leaders to make sure the industry exhibits a united front.
You also may have read that there is a bill in the House of Representatives, and a separate bill currently in the Senate that both allow for decoupling, but with different language. At least 6 FHBPA Board Members have been in attendance at committee hearings held in both Houses, with several speaking in opposition to these bills. In addition, the Board has helped recruit other boots on the ground members of the industry to come to Tallahassee and speak on your behalf. These front-line horsemen and women have been very helpful in telling our story. You’ve also likely heard the news regarding the Governor’s visit to OBS where he made some encouraging remarks.
As we head into the crucial final two weeks of the nine-week session, a lot can still happen. We have made good progress by focusing on the positives of the industry and all that it does for the State of Florida. Many of you have asked how you can help. The best answer is to keep spreading a positive message and help educate people about the good parts of our racing industry. Please avoid making any negative comments about legislators or elected officials, as that would only hurt our chances. We will certainly keep you advised as these last sessions take place.
Thank you for all of your efforts as well.