New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the Seneca Nation of Indians are deliberating on the launch of a new gaming site in downtown Rochester. The casino is in the gaming compact that the governor’s administration and the Native tribe signed recently.
Does the State’s Law Allow the Governor and the Tribe to Form a New Compact?
Rochester leaders were amazed on June 9 after learning about the talks. Yet, New York’s Legislature prepared to pass a bill that would allow Governor Hochul to sign a new gaming agreement with Seneca Nation despite it operating three gaming properties in Buffalo.
The Senate passed the legislation but the Assembly hasn’t yet approved it because some Rochester politicians and gambling operators believe that a new casino in the area will adversely affect the local community. The del Lago Casino located in the Finger Lakes has about 1,000 union jobs that the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council represents.
Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D-Rochester) told POLITICO on Saturday that he learned about the casino’s discussions on Friday night and got concerned. He stated that the talks should be more transparent and occur openly. Also, the Rochester community should be allowed to express its view.
Governor Hochul’s office didn’t respond to Bronson’s comment. Instead, the Assemblymember stated that the state’s administration informed him that it formed a non-disclosure agreement with the tribe that prevents it from revealing vital information about their discussion.
The Seneca Nation has been interested in venturing into Monroe County and Rochester County’s gaming markets for a long period to expand its clientele in Western New York. Even so, it didn’t bid for the open land in 2016.
The Bill’s Progress at the Assembly
The Seneca Nation has been immovable about its new gaming compact since the existing one will end in December 2023. It would prompt the Assembly to pass a law allowing Hochul’s office to sign the new two-decade gaming compact. But the Assembly’s session ended on Saturday.
Still, it might return soon to reconsider the gaming issue. The Native tribe disclosed on Wednesday the “agreement in principle” it formed with Gov.
Hochul but didn’t share many details. It called the Assembly on Saturday to vote on the legislation to enable the governor to finalize and submit the agreement as federal law requires.
Rickey Armstrong, Sr. Seneca Nation’s president, stated that they formed a fair agreement with the governor and she needs to uphold it. The New York Senate passed the law hence offering Gov. Hochul the mandate to finalize the agreement and he urged the Assembly to support it.
The tribal president added that the union backs labor unions. Yet, he didn’t state that a Rochester gaming property offers the region more jobs. The tribe strives to increase union jobs in the region.
Reports state that Gov. Hochul withdrew from the discussion since her husband works for Delaware North, Seneca Nation’s biggest gaming rival. But, the Seneca Nation has an ongoing five-year legal battle with the state over casino income tax.
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