Stachowski Bill Gives Track Employees Additional Medical Benefits

      Senator William T. Stachowski (D, Lake View) today announced the State Senate has passed legislation (S.6781-A) he sponsored to allow the State’s Thoroughbred Horsemen's Organization at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga (NYTHA) to use horsemen's purse funds for additional medical and mental health services such as drug and alcohol counseling to backstretch employees.
 
       “In the past, the additional purse funds received by NYTHA have been used for the testing of steroids in racehorses, a national industry priority,” said Senator Stachowski.  “This funding allowed the veterinary college at Cornell University to purchase equipment suitable for detecting steroids. That program has since been transferred to Morrisville College in Madison County, New York, and this bill would allow for continued support for that program as well as provide a substantial new funding source for much needed health and dental benefits for backstretch workers.”

      The bill has passed both Houses of the Legislature and will be sent to the Governor for his signature.