This month, both the state Thruway Authority and the lieutenant governor insisted New York is working with the Seneca Nation to repair a two-mile portion of the I-90 that runs through the Cattaraugus Territory.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the issue was independent from an ongoing suit over casino revenue. However, Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo seemed to contradict that.

"The issue with the Senecas is larger than I-90," Cuomo said.

An arbitration panel ruled earlier this year the Senecas owe the state more than $255 million and counting, as part of a continuing contractual obligation with the state. They've refused to pay as they continue to explore their legal options.

"They are being, I believe, holding I-90 and the repair of I-90 as part of the larger dispute which is the revenue that's on the table," Cuomo said.

He insinuated it was the Seneca Nation who would not allow the state to fix the rough road.

"On I-90, which then is part of this disagreement, we've said to them two years ago, we will come in," Cuomo said. "We will fix I-90. We will do it tomorrow. The road is in disrepair. We will do it."

Without permission, however, he said New York will not go onto Seneca Nation territory, lest it jeopardize its legal standing in the casino dispute and potentially give the Senecas an "excuse" not to pay the money they owe.

"I'm not going to act in bad faith even though I believe they're acting in bad faith," Cuomo said. "So we're in the courts with them. When we settle the larger issue on the revenues, I believe the I-90 issue will be resolved. I don't believe it's about I-90. I believe it's about the tens of millions of dollars that are actually in dispute."

The Seneca President Rickey Armstrong Sr. said Cuomo's comments make clear he is "holding one issue hostage to the other."  

"The only reason that the State repeatedly turns a blind eye to its obligation to repair the deteriorating condition of the portion of Thruway crossing our Cattaraugus Territory is pure, simple political retribution. He’s playing politics with the safety of the traveling public. There are processes related to the Compact that cannot be ignored, as much as the State may want to ignore them,” Armstrong said.