NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — As Rochester lawmakers raised concerns about a new potential casino in the proposed gaming compact between the Seneca Nation and New York, state Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said he saw little advocacy from Democratic leadership for the Western New York cities that would benefit from that compact.
"To me, it's completely unacceptable and a total failure of leadership at multiple levels that this did not get done, and it no doubt harms our ability to get a deal done with the Seneca Nation because they've got to be wondering who's really in charge here," he said.
Since the Assembly refused to pass an authorization of the negotiated deal between the state and Senecas, the Republican, whose district includes the Senecas’ largest casino in Niagara Falls, believed the parties will likely start from scratch. However, in a Thursday evening statement, the Rochester delegation indicated they’re closer to an acceptable deal.
"Our understanding is that negotiations are headed in the right direction, and recognizing the adverse impact on our community and current workforce, would potentially remove a Rochester area/Monroe County casino. We look forward to seeing a public memorandum of understanding between the State and the Seneca Nation that the legislature can ratify in a transparent way with insight from all affected localities," they wrote in a joint statement.
The current compact expires in less than six months. Ortt said failure to reach an agreement or an agreement that includes significantly less slot machine revenue sharing than the current 25% could still have a big impact on his region.
"The reality is Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Salamanca, stand to lose tens of millions of dollars with no compact agreement," he said. "The state of New York stands to lose hundreds of millions of dollars."
The state gives 25% of the revenue it receives from the casinos to the three cities where the Senecas have casino. Niagara Falls gets the largest portion of that pool and is required by a law that also expires this year to distribute roughly a quarter of that to various entities.
"It's going to have a huge impact on the hospital, on the school district, on the housing authority, the tourism industry because there's casino revenues that go to all of those areas," Ortt said.
Niagara Falls Assemblyman Angelo Morinello said he believes the city, state and Senecas are more in tune with each other on how the money should be spent than they had been. He says if large portions are used on economic development around the casino, it will mean more tourism, and even if the Senecas give the city a smaller percentage, there should be a larger pool of revenue in general.
"I would prefer, irrespective of what the state and the Senecas agree to, that the Senecas can work directly with the city," said Morinello.
Ortt and Morinello believe the Senecas could be asking for significantly less revenue sharing with the possibility of adding another casino seemingly off the table.
Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong, Sr. released a statement Thursday afternoon, saying they negotiated while the Assembly was still in session but weren't able to make a deal before lawmakers left.
"It is disappointing that this important work was not completed before the Legislature adjourned. However, Assembly leadership has indicated a willingness to return to Albany once the Nation and the State are able to finalize fair terms for a new compact. That remains our goal," the statement, in part, read.
While lawmakers have suggested both sides could mutually agree to extend the current compact, the Senecas say continuing under the current term beyond Dec. 9 is neither a "reasonable nor acceptable solution."
A spokesperson for Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement to Spectrum News 1 Thursday evening, saying, in part, that the conversations were productive and they "look forward to continuing to work toward an agreement that works for all parties."