Racetrack Casino Proposal To Get Airing In Senate

ST. PAUL  (AP) - A state Senate committee is taking its first look at a proposal to allow casino-style gambling at horse-racing tracks in Minnesota.

The hearing Tuesday will give supporters and opponents of the so-called racino proposal at Canterbury Park in Shakopee and Running Aces in Columbus a chance to make their case in the dwindling days of the legislative session.

The bill is still not scheduled for a committee vote on Tuesday.

But the $200 million that backers say it would raise in new tax revenue for the state over the next two years could make for a tempting target to lawmakers who lack common ground with Gov. Mark Dayton over how to close a $5 billion state budget deficit.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)