The Office of the Racing Commissioner announced layoffs the result of an executive order issued by Gov. Jennifer Granholm and approved by state lawmakers earlier this month. 
Horse racing office spokeswoman Liana Bennett said the office also has developed a plan to cut an estimated 159 days of live racing at four tracks combined before the fiscal year ends Sept. 30.
Michigan has five major horse racing tracks who could lose up to two-thirds of their live race dates scheduled between now and Oct. 1 under the plan.
Michigan’s horse racing industry has been on the decline for the past few decades. Two tracks have closed in the past few years.