The Oneida Indian Nation made its first payment to the State of New York through its Turning Stone Resort Casino in the amount of ,967,753 under a local share settlement, which will benefit Oneida and Madison counties.
In the agreement enacted in March, tax and trust land issues for the Nation and its economy were resolved. Oneida now joins all Native tribes in New York in sharing its casino revenue. Oneida contributes 25 percent every quarter and the county receives a quarter of the state’s take from gaming machines. The first payment only covers March 4 to 31 because the agreement had to be approved by a federal judge before it could take effect.
The state is expected to receive approximately $50 billion per year with $12.5 million going to the county. Every year, the state will compensate Oneida County with $2.5 million in quarterly installments. Madison will receive $3.5 million a year. Both will receive the payments for 19 and 1/4 years.
Following the settlement and the judge’s approval, the Oneidas made an $11 million one-time payment to the state, which was turned over to Madison County.
Oneida County’s portion of the first payment comes to $1 million. The county will also gain $625,000 from the $2.5 million.
Oneida and Madison collect two different amounts because of the Oneida Nation’s 25,000 acres of tax-free federal trust land, which is disputed by state lawmakers and residents of Vernon and Verona. An additional 13,000 acres, awarded to the Oneidas by the U.S. Department of Interior in 2008, is currently being argued in federal court.
