Reply With Quotedirty a cut throat tactics that are like cutting their noses off to spite their faces... What the F...let the "games" begin!Originally Posted by wivb
The state is reportedly threatening to close the Seneca casinos.
More...
dirty a cut throat tactics that are like cutting their noses off to spite their faces... What the F...let the "games" begin!
The headline should have been:
"state gives Indians 14-days to get injunction prohibiting state from closing down casinos."
I truly don't believe that Paterson has a clue as to what can happen. Retaliation is necessary when dealing with the state. It'll be interesting to see what the SN comes up with. I'm standing by waiting for the news!
From: http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article212402.ece
In two sharply worded letters Wednesday and two weeks ago, the governor's top lawyer said the Seneca Nation has "materially" breached the terms of the compact by withholding the payments.
Seneca officials Wednesday evening sought to calm casino workers and local officials in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Salamanca, insisting the state cannot unilaterally cancel the compact for the casinos operating in those communities.
Beyond what the state claims is more than $200 million in lapsed revenue-sharing payments, the Senecas owe additional "millions" to cover expenses by the State Police and government regulators involved in casino security, background checks or oversight, the administration said.
State officials say New York is entitled -- if the issue is not resolved swiftly -- to terminate the compact between the government and the Seneca Nation. The casinos are only permitted to operate, the state maintains, with a valid compact between the state and tribe.
The state, in a letter to Seneca President Barry Snyder Sr., threatened to take the matter to arbitration to resolve the dispute if tribal leaders do not meet to resolve the stalemate within 14 days.
The letter to Snyder from Paterson counsel Peter Kiernan formally invokes a "negotiation provision" of the compact between the state and the tribe for its three casinos in Western New York.
“We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” ― Thomas Jefferson
Furthermore, Kiernan said the state has never approved electronic table games at the area racetracks, as the Senecas claimed, nor are there slot machines at the facilities. The tracks are authorized to offer video lottery terminals (VLTs).
"The tribe knows full well that these VLTs are not slot machines under the compact and, therefore, exclusivity has not been breached," Kiernan wrote in September..Hamburg Casino at the Fairgrounds offers 939 of the latest and most popular slot machines for your enjoyment. Our spacious, 55,000 square foot gaming floor features high ceilings, contemporary design and great comfort for all of our guests. Open 10am – 2am daily, you’ll find all of your favorite games, including video poker, progressive jackpots, penny machines, and more!
Our customer-friendly features include comfortable seating, touch screen play, cash/ticket in - ticket out machines, and free beverage service while playing – all in a non-smoking facility
They both look the same to me...
In Dalton v. Pataki ( http://www.law.cornell.edu/nyctap/I05_0062.htm ) the machines at the racetrack were ruled as VLT's not slot machines. The same legislation that authorized the compacts also authorized the VLTs.
“We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” ― Thomas Jefferson
So NY, would rather close the casinos, thus eliminating a major tax revenue avenue, in favor of raising taxes and fees on the residents of this state to make up the difference?
Willful ignorance is the downfall of every major empire in history.
"Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." - Mao, 1938
With the Senecas not paying the agreed net drop, reimbursing the state for the other services as set forth in the article there is no incentive for them to keep meeting their obligations under the agreement with the Senecas. It is like a tenant who is picking and choosing how much rent they will pay despite a lease agreement.
Also this has nothing to do with the cigarette tax fracas, this is the Senecas posturing because the current compact ends in 2016 when they have to come to the table to negotiate a new compact or close them anyway.
“We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” ― Thomas Jefferson
Not only this but create a huge number of newly unemployed people. But, hey, when you have the kind of unemployment we have in NYS what difference does a few thousand more make?
Let's all remember to get out and vote for Mario Junior this November so we can continue this job killing tradition.
Government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem. Ronald Reagan
... they'll be able to collect unemployment for 2 years!!
I take that back. Do Casino employees get unemployment benefits?
I thought gambling was illegal in NY
Why wouldnt they, not all casino employees are Native American.
From: http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article214636.ece
Seneca Nation of Indians officials today offered a compromise in their dispute with the Paterson administration over casino revenues.
The Seneca officials said the nation is willing to make immediate direct payments to the communities where the casinos are located.
That would occur if Gov. David A. Paterson agrees to credit the nation for making those payments after the dispute with the state is resolved.
The proposal was sent to Albany today as nation leaders and elected and appointed officials from the casino communities met on the Cattaraugus Territory of the Seneca Nation.
“We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” ― Thomas Jefferson
From: http://blogs.buffalonews.com/live/20...ceptable-.html
BUFFALO -- An offer by the Seneca Nation of Indians to make casino revenue payments directly to the three local cities that host the nation's casinos is "unacceptable" to Gov. David A. Paterson.
Paterson, speaking to reporters in Niagara Square this afternoon, rebuffed a statement made by tribal leaders Friday in which they said they are willing to pay the local share of slot machine revenues directly to Niagara Falls, Salamanca and Buffalo.
Paterson said the Senecas owe more than $200 million to the state in different types of fees.
"I understand they made a promise to pay the local governments themselves; that's unacceptable to us," Paterson said. "It's not how government works in the State of New York."
The Seneca Tribal Council voted last month to stop making payments to the state under the nation's gaming compact. Seneca leaders have claimed the state has violated the agreement, which gives Senecas exclusive rights to operate Las Vegas-style casinos in Western New York.
"If they would like us to front the money for them, and tell us that they will refund us in the next few weeks, we would consider doing that," Paterson said. "But right now, we're in court because we don't believe that they should have licenses if they're not going to pay the mandated fees."
“We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” ― Thomas Jefferson
typical NY.
Willful ignorance is the downfall of every major empire in history.
"Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." - Mao, 1938
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