non Greek Orthodox believers only. Politicians care nothing about NY Const. ARt. 1, Sec. 3 and freedom of religion or separation of church and state and OTBs making money. Politicians care only for pocketing cash. Working is for dogs.
Campaign ban at track sinking in
New policy having effect, but there is a loophole
By James M. Odato
Published 9:40 pm, Thursday, July 18, 2013
Albany
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FontA Republican state senator dropped plans for a big fundraiser next week at Saratoga Race Course after learning of the New York Racing Association's policy that bars the tradition of raising campaign cash at the state's tracks.
On Thursday, campaign workers for Suffolk County's representative in the upper chamber was reminding contributors of his fundraiser on Monday and to dress properly for "Day at the Track With Senator Lee M. Zeldin."
A few hours later, emails alerted contributors that the event had been canceled.
Zeldin is the fourth candidate to go in another direction as a result of NYRA's policy, adopted in June, that follows pre-existing prohibitions against political activities in state facilities.
The three NYRA-run tracks — Belmont Park on Long Island, Aqueduct in Queens and Saratoga Race Course — are officially off limits.
However, a loophole exists: Leased properties at the tracks, such as the Reading Room at Saratoga, remain eligible for the gatherings. Indeed, Senate Democrats have scheduled an event for Wednesday at the private club. Others are moving to places like the nearby Saratoga National Golf Club.
Zeldin Campaign Manager Michael Johnson said he had been talking to NYRA since scheduling the event in May about ways to make it work. Campaign supporters were being told as recently as Thursday morning to come, but not to make contributions at the races.
"We cannot and will not accept donations at the track," said a notice included with the Zeldin invitation.
The event offered a "winners circle" package of $5,000 for three tickets to the event, with a minimum of $500 to get into the Zeldin campaign's suite at the historic park.
"We were trying to see if we could just hold a day at the track — come and have fun," said Johnson. "Two days ago they said we could go forward."
But in the end, he said, the campaign decided it didn't want to push the issue.
Eric Wing, a spokesman for NYRA, said he wasn't sure which were the other three campaigns that had to cancel because of the ban.
Assemblyman James Tedisco, R-Glenville, changed his event about two weeks ago, a state official said.
jodato@timesunion.com • 518-454-5083 • @JamesMOdato
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