{"id":20425,"date":"2019-01-16T21:48:09","date_gmt":"2019-01-16T22:48:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/?p=20425"},"modified":"2019-01-17T16:23:28","modified_gmt":"2019-01-17T16:23:28","slug":"seneca-nation-must-pay-up-after-losing-arbitration-battle-in-new-york","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/seneca-nation-must-pay-up-after-losing-arbitration-battle-in-new-york\/","title":{"rendered":"Seneca Nation Must Pay Up After Losing Arbitration Battle In New York"},"content":{"rendered":"
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo<\/strong> has emerged victorious in a battle over revenue-sharing payments<\/strong> between the state and Seneca Nation of Indians<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In a ruling last week, an arbitration panel said the tribe must continue its payments<\/strong> to the state. The tribe stopped making payments in March 2017<\/strong>, claiming the compact agreement only lasted 14 years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re thankful the arbitration panel held a fair hearing of the facts and ruled in favor of the state and local communities that have been hurt by the Seneca Nation\u2019s actions,\u201d Rich Azzopardi<\/strong>, a senior advisor<\/strong> for Gov. Cuomo, told the Democrat and Chronicle<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n The compact language, which guarantees casino exclusivity, is the root of the longtime disagreement.<\/p>\n The Seneca Nation of Indians struck a gaming compact with the state in 2002. <\/strong>The agreement granted exclusive rights to the tribe to build and operate Native American casinos in western New York.<\/p>\n In fact, the tribe operates Niagara Resort and Casino, Buffalo Creek Casino<\/strong> and Allegany Resort and Casino<\/strong>.<\/p>\n While both sides agreed to extend the compact, language regarding revenue payments did not change, resulting in the current predicament.<\/p>\n Now, state and local governments will share at least $220 million<\/strong> that has been withheld over the past two years.<\/p>\n Here is what Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong<\/strong> had to say:<\/p>\n \u201cDespite the panel finding that the compact, as written, simply does not address the topic of revenue sharing beyond Year 14, a majority of the panel members determined that an obligation exists to continue revenue share payments to the state.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n According to the Democrat and Chronicle<\/em>, the tribe will take the appropriate time to review and respond to the opinion. Both sides have until mid-February<\/strong> to figure out how the money will be paid.<\/p>\n The arbitration ruling could not come at a better time. In October, Cuomo\u2019s administration had reached out to three cities to offer relief from the loss of much-needed gaming revenue.<\/p>\n Salamanca Mayor Michael Smith<\/strong> told reporters he was contacted by the governor\u2019s office which inquired about a $9 million shortage<\/strong> in the city\u2019s 2019 budget.<\/p>\n Additionally, Niagara Falls ($12.3 million)<\/strong> and Buffalo ($17 million)<\/strong> are each facing shortages heading into 2019.<\/p>\n At the time, Niagara Falls Mayor<\/strong>\u00a0Paul Dyster<\/strong> viewed Cuomo\u2019s efforts to help as a \u201cstop-gap,\u201d with one city council member calling the plan an election year gimmick.<\/p>\nA lengthy battle for Seneca Nation<\/span><\/h2>\n
Local government relief<\/span><\/h2>\n
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