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Assembly Passes Caputo & Houghtaling Measure to Enhance the New Jersey Racing Commission Annual Report

(TRENTON) – To ensure that the New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC) is monitoring procedures to verify that all revenues collected are deposited timely, properly recorded in the State accounting system, and accounted for in the NJRC system, Assembly Democrats Ralph Caputo (D-Essex) and Eric Houghtaling (Monmouth) sponsor a measure passed by the full Assembly on Thursday 75-0 to conduct an annual audit of the NJRC.

“We found in the State Auditors report from 2016 to 2020 that many suspended horsemen remained active and a few hundred thousand dollars in fines had not been collected,” said Caputo.  “Many issues have been unreported and it is necessary for the State to closely monitor that rules are followed and there is more attentiveness toward safety.”

The bill (A-5484) sponsored by Caputo and Houghtaling would enforce several internal control monitoring procedures to confirm that the commission is complying with the requirements.  A comprehensive audit would be completed each fiscal year with statistics and recommendations about any deficiencies identified.

“With a set of procedures to follow and a yearly audit, we can keep track of any issues and address them in a timely manner,” said Houghtaling.  “This bill will allow the commission to proactively enforce the procedures necessary to help horseracing in New Jersey thrive.”

The measure is also sponsored by Ronald Dancer (R-Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean).