The reduction in H-2B visas has exacerbated the difficulty trainers have in finding workers, as was highlighted during Derby week. But as we see in this story from the New York Times, other industries are being hurt as well. And this may turn out to be good news for horse racing.
The story details the role H-2B visas play at an iconic tourist getaway and is representative of the entire tourism and lodging industry. But there are also other businesses that rely on a healthy flow of workers with H-2B visas. Think construction, landscaping, maintenance; to name a few. And each has constituencies that have a voice with politicians on both sides of the aisle. This collection of industries might be reaching the critical mass needed to have favorable H-2B legislation passed, the type of legislation that would provide a more robust pipeline of workers for numerous businesses and that includes racing.
