DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The House has passed and sent to Gov. Terry Branstad a bill that would end greyhound racing in Council Bluffs but allow dog owners to continue operating a track in Dubuque.
The House passed the bill Monday night. Senators passed it Friday.
It was placed on the legislative fast-track last week after casinos in the two towns negotiated a deal with the Iowa Greyhound Association that creates a $36 million retirement fund for dog owners and breeders who want to get out of the business. It allocates another $36 million to help the association negotiate a lease for the Dubuque track and try to keep dog racing alive.
The casinos, which have spent millions of dollars a year subsidizing dog racing and sought to end it, will pay the money.
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