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Veto by governor won't stop fight for casino gaming revenue

Tom Magnarelli
/
WRVO News File Photo

A bill vetoed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo this month would have given Madison County some of the cash the Oneida Indian nation pays to state as part of a compact that’s been in place between the state and the nation since 2013. Madison County didn’t have gaming at that time, but it does now, and officials say it’s only fair that the county should get in on some of the gambling revenue. 

State Sen. Dave Valesky (D-Oneida) says a veto usually means the end of a story.  But he’s sees a glimmer of hope in this case, in the governor’s veto message.

“He encouraged his budget director to work with the sponsors of the legislation, myself and Assemblyman McGee, Madison County, to come up with an appropriate revenue sharing arrangement that is fair to Madison County,” said Valesky.

The original legislation asked that Madison County get 25 percent of the gaming revenue from the Yellow Brick Road Casino and gas station slot machines in the county. Valeksy says a compromise, which would have to be approved by the legislature, could simply involve moving those numbers around.

“So I really think that this is a matter of all of us rolling up our sleeves again, sharpening the pencils again, and making sure we get something that is fair for Madison County and that all parties understand that is the right direction to go.  And I think we’ll get there,” he said.

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.