Michigan bill would restore race dates

The Michigan House Appropriations Committee passed a bill Wednesday that would restore Thoroughbred racing dates at Pinnacle Race Course in suburban Detroit's Huron Township.

The vote would reinstate dates to the second-year track, which had its racing schedule essentially cut in half when Gov. Jennifer Granholm slashed $304 million from the state budget last month. Michigan is faced with a $1.3 billion deficit for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30.

The committee voted to shift $1.7 million in state funds to cancel the pending layoffs of 104 state troopers. Some of the money would also be used to restore Thoroughbred and harness dates in the state.

There is no timetable for the full House to vote on the committee's action.