Oregon Racing Commission warns of budget shortfall, outlines safety and licensing changes during public hearing

Co‑chair Gomberg convened the Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee of Ways and Means on March 31 and opened a public hearing on House Bill 5035, the Oregon Racing Commission’s budget bill, as state officials described declining revenues and outlined proposed safety and licensing changes.

The Racing Commission’s executive director, Connie Wynne, and Tamara Brickman of the Department of Administrative Services’ Chief Financial Office told legislators the agency has seen revenue declines since 2019, when Portland Meadows closed, and again after a 2022 Department of Justice opinion curtailed historical horse racing. Wynne and Brickman said those losses, plus several advanced‑deposit wagering (ADW) companies leaving the state and a reduction in off‑track betting locations, have reduced the commission’s operating reserves.

Tamara Brickman said the commission’s ending balance at the current service level is roughly $489,000, “which left them with a little more than 1 in 1.4 months of operating balance.” Brickman said the office typically recommends three to six months of operating reserves and that the agency submitted a modified current service level that cut roughly $1 million from its request; the governor’s budget then restored some of those cuts by allowing the commission to retain certain revenues.

Why it matters: the commission regulates pari‑mutuel wagering, licenses participants and audits wagering transactions; it funds its operations from other funds — primarily wagering receipts — not the general fund. Wynne and Brickman told the committee that the commission’s financial stress affects small rural economies that host race meets and could limit the agency’s ability to increase safety oversight and maintain staffing.

Key budget and policy details discussed

- The commission is largely funded by pari‑mutuel wagering receipts (Brickman said about…