Key points:
- Senator Addabbo stated that the veto would further delay the creation of thousands of union jobs and guaranteed funding for the MTA
- He also stated that he plans on reintroducing revised legislation that will systemize Governor Hochul’s proposed timeframe
After New York Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed Bill S9673A which would have expedited the casino bidding process in the state, Senator Joseph Addabbo has responded to the decision with an official statement.
“Codifying a timeframe for an already unduly, prolonged downstate casino process would merely improve the process by allowing it to actually begin accepting applications, thus informing the unions and residents of New York when quality job creation could be expected, allowing the MTA to calculate when to expect the funds from the license fees and permitting it to project the significant future revenues from the casino’s operations,” Senator Addabbo said.
“My legislation was attempting to bring credibility to the current state of the downstate casino process, not to ‘alter the timeframe’ as stated in the Governor’s Veto Message, since no codified timeframe to start accepting applications exists at all.”
The new law would have pushed up the deadline for bidders to submit proposals by August, even without gaining necessary approvals that included local zoning. Hochul noted in her veto message that she “cannot support a bill that aims to change the rules in the middle of the process.”
Senator Addabbo also stated that the veto of Bill S9673A will further delay the creation of thousands of union jobs, postpone guaranteed funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), projected to be initially over $2bn, as well as ongoing tax revenue for the MTA.
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“Therefore, what rational reason is there for the state to hinder the submission of applications for a downstate casino process indefinitely, because without codifying a submission and completion date said process can meander on as it has been for over two years already,” Senator Addabbo said.
“By enacting a definitive statutory timeline New Yorkers, unions, businesses and the MTA will be able to determine when we will be able witness the benefits of job creation, new problem gambling programs, revenue opportunities and innovative entertainment experiences sooner rather than later.”
Senator Addabbo stated that he intends to reintroduce revised legislation that will systemize the Governor’s proposed timeframe to begin accepting applications in June 2025 and finalize the process in December 2025.
