The legislature is in what will be the final stage of deliberations on issues that directly affect our prospects on an immediate and long-term basis. With dozens of constituent issues swirling around the statehouse, it would be easy for the things that matter to us to get lost or misunderstood. It's up to each of us to see that legislators understand why racing and breeding issues are important to local agribusiness employment and commercial activity.

To give you an idea of the need for contact, last week an amendment debated in the House would have capped horsemen's revenue from slots at $53 million to $60 million, instead of the $85 million + cost-of-living adjustments included in the original slots bill. It failed only 47 - 46.

Quite obviously, we haven't maintained the contact and public education necessary to ensure that they understand what we bring to the state and local economies.

We told this story two years ago. We were successful in gaining slots at the tracks. Now we desperately need to remind our elected officials why these issues still matter back home -- and how they can help ensure that the whole industry survives and thrives.

Hoosier Park, our partner in this horse coalition, needs and deserves our support to gain interim tax breaks that can help them regain their footing in this shaky economy. House Bill 1729 would give them some of that support. It passed the House early in the session, but languished in the Senate. Nevertheless, its subject matter will be eligible for consideration in conference committees. We need to explain to our legislators why this matters to us and to all who make their livings in and around the horse industry. In doing so, we also remind them about the value of horsemen to the Indiana economy.

The message has been, and continues to be: The horse racing and breeding industry supports local and state economies through tax revenues, agribusiness commercial activity and employment throughout Indiana. From our pari-mutuel tracks to county fairs to local horse farms and suppliers, we generate vital economic activity.

Then tell legislators about local examples of our racing and breeding investments in Indiana. Please get key members of your Associations to remind their legislators who they do business with back home. As we're emphasizing the value of local horsemen and women, also make sure legislators understand how important Hoosier Park is to the integrated structure of racing and breeding in Indiana. Ask for legislators' support and thank them, in advance, for helping to bring home a winner for Indiana.

There will be other issues that pop up quickly during the final nine days of the regular session of the legislature that will be of vital importance to all of us. We will get the word out as soon as we learn of them. But it is high time -- and past time -- that we take responsibility for re-educating our legislators and supporting our partners and our future.