Pataki introduces new Catskills casino legislation

Friday, February 4, 2005  

Gov. George Pataki (R) introduced legislation on Thursday to increase the number of casinos in the Catskills from three to five by settling tribal land claims.

Pataki called for speedy passage of the bill, which would resolve decades-old claims by several tribes. But Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Democrat, said it would require careful review.

In addition to settling the claims in exchange for casinos, the bill provides up to $50 million to preserve open spaces and improve transportation, compensate for property taxes when land for the casinos goes into trust, environmental reviews and "impact agreements" of at least $15 million for each casino.

Pataki has agreed to casinos with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Cayuga Nation, the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans of Wisconsin and the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma.

The Oneida Nation of New York said the bill does not settle its share of the Oneida land claim. The tribe has criticized Pataki for dealing with out-of-state tribes.

Get the Story:
Pataki advances casino effort (The Albany Times-Union 2/4)
Land-claim bill would OK casinos for 5 tribes (The Rochester Democrat and News 2/4)
Pataki pushes land claim bill (The Finger Lake Times 2/4)
Five casino law includes $50M to save open space (The Middletown Times Herald-Record 2/4)