State Legislators want to know where casinos would go
Posted at: 03/11/2013 10:43 PM
| Updated at: 03/11/2013 11:32 PM
By: Mark Mulholland
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Some state legislators are urging the Governor to identify the sites before full-casinos are put to a statewide vote.
State, county and elected leaders from both parties are calling on the Governor to announce the locations as soon as possible, so voters are fully informed.
Saratoga Springs has more than it's share of gambling opportunities. With its famed thoroughbred race track and its successful racino,
The city wants to make sure it doesn't get stuck in the starting gate.
The Governor has proposed and state lawmakers support changing the state constitution to allow full-fledged casino gambling in New York. Saratoga-area elected leaders are all in favor. If they're among the communities to get one.
“We need to support what has made Saratoga Springs great and that is a vibrant, healthy thoroughbred racing industry,” says Assemblyman Tony Jordan.
Jordan and other Republican lawmakers stood side-by-side Monday with elected local Democrats, urging the governor to identify the sites that will get casinos before it's put to a state-wide referendum.
“Put your cards on the table. Tell the voters of this state where the casinos are going to be located before they're being asked to vote in November,” says Saratoga Springs Mayor, Scott Johnson.
This comes as the leader of casino operator MGM reportedly criticized the governor for a plan to site casinos upstate before opening one in New York City. The Governor continues to say the selection of sites, including upstate versus downstate, should be worked out by an independent commission.
"When you're bidding the upstate franchises one of the big questions is, can you promise me or the legal equivalent of a promise that there won't be a casino in NYC for six months, one year, two years, three years. The longer that period of time the more the upstate franchises are worth,” says Governor Cuomo.
Assuming it passes the legislature, the amendment to allow casino gambling requires approval by a majority of voters.
