Usually it takes more than one legislator to stop a bill dead in its tracks – unless that one legislator is the Speaker of the House.

An email blast from Kansans for Equine Opportunity last week announced boldly that “Kansas Out of Options in 2015” and laid the blame squarely on Kansas House Speaker Ray Merrick.

Though the bill passed the Kansas Senate with solid support, it still needed passage by the House to give it a chance at becoming law.  Speaker Merrick sent the bill to committee and promised not to bring it out for the remainder of the session.  Merrick was described as “a long-time opponent of horse racing” in the release.

Hope is not lost forever, however.  The bill will carry over into the 2016 session and, with enough grass roots support, lobbyists are hopeful that Merrick will be convinced to let the measure emerge from committee and have a vote on the floor.

In the release, Kansas Quarter Horse Racing Association president Rita Osborn is quoted as saying, “We made tremendous progress this year with the lobbying effort and help of engaged folks throughout the state making phone calls and emailing legislators.  We hope to use that momentum going into next legislative session.”