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Legislative leaders consider constitutional amendment to allow Indian casinos in New York
Wednesday, September 21, 2011By MICHAEL GORMLEY
Associated Press
ALBANY — As Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders consider building casinos off Indian reservations to boost the state’s economy, voters in New York think they should take the chance, according to a poll released Wednesday.
Cuomo first raised the idea as a revenue and job producer. He noted New Yorkers are already gambling at Indian casinos in New York and Connecticut and at other casinos in Atlantic City and elsewhere. Legislative leaders are now considering a constitutional amendment to allow non-Indian casinos in New York, a move that would require voter approval.
The Quinnipiac University poll shows 56 percent of registered voters support creating casinos away from Indian reservations, which now have a monopoly on casinos in New York under federal law. The federal Indian Gaming Act supersedes a ban on casinos in the state constitution.
Sixty-four percent of voters said casinos would be good for the economy.
While Indian tribes provide some payments to the state from their casino revenues, far more could be collected in taxes that non-Indian operations would have to pay.
"Roll the dice, spin the wheel, hit me," said Quinnpiac’s Maurice "Mickey" Carroll. "Casinos would be good for the economy, voters think, but they also think there’d be an increase in gambling addiction."
That has been the concern of powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Manhattan Democrat, who has opposed some previous efforts to increase gambling in New York.
"The speaker has consistently indicated that while he is generally opposed to casino gambling, a constitutional amendment to allow for it in certain existing resort areas could be something worth examining," said Silver spokesman Michael Whyland.
Whyland cautioned, however, that the issue hasn’t yet been discussed with rank-and-file members of the Assembly’s Democratic majority. The Assembly majority has sought additional revenues to pay for restorations and increases in funding for schools, public colleges and health care.
Ray Halbritter, the Oneida Nation Representative and CEO of Nation Enterprises and its Turning Stone Resort Casino, warns the state against allowing non-Indian casino competitors.
"Indian nations are fundamentally different from the gambling industry," Halbritter said Wednesday. "Unlike them, we are governments that are obligated to invest our revenues and resources into our ancestral lands and surrounding communities right here in New York."
"New York is reeling from the legacy of pain left behind by companies looking to maximize only their own short-term profits," Halbritter said. "Elected officials should not continue the same pattern by rewinding the clock in support of a scheme to make our region like Atlantic City."
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Long Island Republican, isn’t supporting or blocking casinos at this time, but supports a constitutional amendment that would require a public vote.
"He has talked about the potential for economic growth and jobs, but in the end it should be up to the people," said Skelos’ spokesman, Scott Reif.
"It is a complex matter," Cuomo said. "It has numerous ramifications on a number of levels ... at this point I’m not encouraging, I’m not dissuading" the Legislature.
"At one time the question was gaming or no gaming," Cuomo said. "That’s not the question anymore. There will be gaming ... so the question has shifted."
Cuomo said he hopes to have "a position by January, when the new session starts, as part of a new agenda for the new year."
Quinnipiac questioned 1,016 registered voters Sept. 13-18. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 points.
Cuomo first raised the idea as a revenue and job producer. He noted New Yorkers are already gambling at Indian casinos in New York and Connecticut and at other casinos in Atlantic City and elsewhere. Legislative leaders are now considering a constitutional amendment to allow non-Indian casinos in New York, a move that would require voter approval.
The Quinnipiac University poll shows 56 percent of registered voters support creating casinos away from Indian reservations, which now have a monopoly on casinos in New York under federal law. The federal Indian Gaming Act supersedes a ban on casinos in the state constitution.
Sixty-four percent of voters said casinos would be good for the economy.
While Indian tribes provide some payments to the state from their casino revenues, far more could be collected in taxes that non-Indian operations would have to pay.
"Roll the dice, spin the wheel, hit me," said Quinnpiac’s Maurice "Mickey" Carroll. "Casinos would be good for the economy, voters think, but they also think there’d be an increase in gambling addiction."
That has been the concern of powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Manhattan Democrat, who has opposed some previous efforts to increase gambling in New York.
"The speaker has consistently indicated that while he is generally opposed to casino gambling, a constitutional amendment to allow for it in certain existing resort areas could be something worth examining," said Silver spokesman Michael Whyland.
Whyland cautioned, however, that the issue hasn’t yet been discussed with rank-and-file members of the Assembly’s Democratic majority. The Assembly majority has sought additional revenues to pay for restorations and increases in funding for schools, public colleges and health care.
Ray Halbritter, the Oneida Nation Representative and CEO of Nation Enterprises and its Turning Stone Resort Casino, warns the state against allowing non-Indian casino competitors.
"Indian nations are fundamentally different from the gambling industry," Halbritter said Wednesday. "Unlike them, we are governments that are obligated to invest our revenues and resources into our ancestral lands and surrounding communities right here in New York."
"New York is reeling from the legacy of pain left behind by companies looking to maximize only their own short-term profits," Halbritter said. "Elected officials should not continue the same pattern by rewinding the clock in support of a scheme to make our region like Atlantic City."
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Long Island Republican, isn’t supporting or blocking casinos at this time, but supports a constitutional amendment that would require a public vote.
"He has talked about the potential for economic growth and jobs, but in the end it should be up to the people," said Skelos’ spokesman, Scott Reif.
"It is a complex matter," Cuomo said. "It has numerous ramifications on a number of levels ... at this point I’m not encouraging, I’m not dissuading" the Legislature.
"At one time the question was gaming or no gaming," Cuomo said. "That’s not the question anymore. There will be gaming ... so the question has shifted."
Cuomo said he hopes to have "a position by January, when the new session starts, as part of a new agenda for the new year."
Quinnipiac questioned 1,016 registered voters Sept. 13-18. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 points.
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