The New York State Assembly is considering calling a special session to deal with the Seneca Nation’s gaming compact before that compact expires December 9, according to several Assembly members quoted by the Daily Gazette.
After the Senecas and the office of Governor Kathy Hochul announced in June they had agreed in principle on a new compact for the Senecas, the Assembly refused to vote on a bill to authorize Hochul to finalize the deal after it came to light the compact included a new Seneca casino in Rochester.
The state Senate had already approved the deal’s finalization, but the Assembly held out under protests from Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, the city council and the Monroe County delegation.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie commented on Twitter at the time, “I believe the Seneca Nation deserves a fair deal. However, the sentiment of the Assembly’s Monroe County delegation—coupled with the potential loss of union jobs—is concerning, and we cannot move forward with a vote on the compact at this time.”
According to the Daily Gazette report, a special session is being considered by members of the powerful Assembly Ways and Means committee to deal with the compact and the issue of a Rochester casino.
Rochester-area Assemblyman Harry Bronson told the newspaper that any new compact will not include a casino in the Rochester area.
