Karyn Malinowski, director of the Rutgers University Equine Center, will testify today before the Democratic panel, including State Sen. President Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford) and (soon to arrive) and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-East Orange).
This morning, Malinowski told PoltickerNJ that “It’s not just about horse racing,” it’s about the horse industry.
And the equine industry and suppliers hold over 30 percent of the agricultural land in New Jersey, 222,000 acres. Aside from the industry, it creates open space for the state and improves the quality of life for citizens, especially in the most densely populated state in the nation.
Not only that, she said the horse industry generates $1.1 billion annually and 13,000 jobs.
The $1.1 billion is equal to all other non-horse related agriculture in the state.
“How much of the iceberg can you chip away at until the whole industry starts to crumble,” Malinowski said.
