I’ll Wait to Join …
So, I’ve been trying to muster interest in the NTRA Horseplayers’ Coalition, which sounded exciting when its formation was announced earlier this year but is decidedly less so now that it has formally launched with the sexy topic of tax reform at the top of its agenda. Horseplayers can join for $25, for which they’ll get legislative updates and discounts from such companies as John Deere and UPS. As Dana points out, the timing is good for what’s essentially a horseplayers’ political action committee, and to be fair, the coalition builds on two things the NTRA does well — Capitol Hill lobbying and managing its purchasing program. I’m certainly not opposed to reforming the unfair taxes heaped on handicappers, having had the good fortune in 2007 to run into the IRS’ outdated and onerous reporting and withholding rules — what was abstractly unpleasant became practically so — and yet, I haven’t rushed to sign up. I can’t shake the sense that this group is more about serving the industry than about serving horseplayers, who care about taxes, but also care about doping, transparency and integrity, takeout, and ongoing ADW disruptions. I’d like to join a coalition that truly represents players on all those matters, not just the one issue that’s in sync with establishment concerns.
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