Picente and Brindisi Highlight Their Support For Proposition 1

County Executive Picente, Assemblymen Brindisi as well as School Officials and Labor Unions Support The Gaming Referendum.

New Yorkers currently spend more than $1.2 billion a year at destination casinos in neighboring states. Allowing casinos in New York will help generate economic activity, fund our schools, and provide tax relief. Proposal #1 would start to bring that money back to New York and create over 10,000 good-paying new jobs in New York State. The New York State Division of Budget estimates $430 million in new revenue will be generated every year. By law, every new dollar of state revenue must go to education aid, property tax relief, and assistance to local governments. The Empire State Development Corporation estimates over 10,000 construction and permanent jobs would be created if these four new casinos are permitted in upstate New York. New York State is surrounded by places where casino gaming is legal.

"New York State is certainly in need of construction and permanent jobs," said Pat Costello, Area Representative for the Central and Northern New York Building Trades.  "Passage of Proposition One will result in about 17,000 construction jobs, and over 7,500 permanent jobs.  New York could sure use this economic boost."

County Executive Picente said “In Oneida County we are in a unique position. We have Casino Gaming. We have a Settlement Agreement that will bring on average annually 15 million dollars into Oneida County regardless of the outcome of this referendum. If this referendum passes, Oneida County sees an extra 4 million dollars go directly to help school districts educate our children the best way they can.”

Passing of this referendum does not impact the settlement agreement but instead adds money to already cash strapped school districts in need of state dollars. In addition to the Oneida Indian Nation Settlement Agreement, Oneida County will see nearly 4Million dollars go directly to school districts in Oneida County.

Assemblymen Brindisi Said "The Legislation signed by the Governor for The Act mandates that funds generated by it must be used for extra school aid, and for state and local governments,” Brindisi said. “The state will not be able to utilize tax revenue generated from it for other purposes.  In fact, 80 percent of the state’s tax revenues brought in would go for either education aid or for property tax relief. Approval of the resolution will go a long way toward easing property taxes and helping our local school districts."

Picente added “In this County we have a commitment to providing tax relief, providing the best services to those that need it the most and preparing our children to compete in a 21^st Century job market. This Act helps accomplish those goals by bringing extra money to School Districts.  This helps us hold the line on property taxes as well as generating more financial aid to school districts so they can provide the best education possible to each and every one of our children.”   

Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Canada have Casino Gaming. Despite the casino in our region, New Yorkers spend an estimated $1.2 billion in other states and Canada to take advantage of gaming and entertainment not offered in New York. That means lost jobs and lost revenue to New Yorkers.