PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri (kuh-CHEHR'-ee) has vetoed a bill that would extend the schedule of greyhound racing at Twin River from 125 to 200 days a year.
Carcieri said in his veto message Thursday that the dog track was a financial drain on the state and that live wagers on the greyhounds had decreased by more than 90 percent since 1990.
Twin River's owners have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection while struggling to repay more than a half-billion dollars in debt. The facility wants to end greyhound racing, but the General Assembly last week passed legislation to extend the racing calendar.
Carcieri calls the legislation an "end-run" around the bankruptcy proceedings.
The Rhode Island Greyhound Owners Association says the legislation would save 225 jobs and preserve millions of dollars in revenues.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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