The biggest problems here are that Governor Paterson is totally inept and the entire legislature is completely corrupt and dysfunctional.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... acks-state

Here's another example of the insane choices that are made in New York. In a quick quiet move to get a political hack a job with a 6-fig salary, the blind accidental governor got Charles J. Diamond on the State Racing and Wagering Board. Charlie doesn't know what the north end of a southbound horse looks like and has no background in wagering but Paterson owed a favor and placed an incompetent unemployed hack in place to feed at the public trough. This is just the type of bum that is needed to jack the takeout and misunderstand any rule changes deemed necessary by real racing people.

You gotta love the first sentence here: "Gov. David Paterson has quietly recommended..." And you know what? The state senate quietly confirmed the nomination.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... n-ny-board