New York Gov. Cuomo Holds Highway Repair Hostage in Seneca Nation Casino Revenue Dispute
Posted on: August 22, 2019, 01:00h.
Last updated on: September 24, 2019, 07:12h.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) says the state won’t touch a three-mile stretch of I-90 that travels through Seneca Nation land due to the ongoing casino revenue-sharing dispute with the tribe.
The Seneca Nation of Indians stopped sharing 25 percent of their slot winnings in March of 2017. The tribe argued their compact with the state expired a year earlier, and while the Class III gaming agreement legally rolled over for another 14-year period, the Native American group said there was no stipulation that gross gaming revenue (GGR) sharing payments would continue in the extension.
A three-member arbitration panel ruled in April that the tribe remains legally responsible to hand over a quarter of its slot win to the state. The outstanding balance was set at $255 million, but the tribe is appealing the decision in federal court.
The Seneca tribe owns and operates full-scale Class III casinos in Niagara Falls, Buffalo Creek, and Salamanca. The tribe additionally has small Class I and II bingo facilities on its three sovereign territories in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Oil Spring.
Highway Robbery
Cuomo is fed up with the Seneca Nation, as the state has been forced to issue payments to cash-strapped local communities that heavily rely on their own cut of the tribal slot win. Last fall, the City of Niagara Falls received a $12.3 million financial relief package from Albany.
The three-mile stretch of I-90 intersects Cattaraugus. The highway is in such bad shape there that speeds have been reduced to 45 mph. Once the Thruway exits the Indian territory, the speed limit resumes to 65 mph.
Asked this week about the road repair delay, the governor –now in his third term — said such construction could threaten the tribe’s $255 million (and counting) payment he one day expects to receive.
I don’t want to give them a reason to say New York breached the agreement by coming onto I-90 when they had no right to come onto I-90. That could actually jeopardize our position on the revenues,” Cuomo opined.
“We’re in the courts with them. When we settle the larger issue on the revenues, I believe the I-90 issue will be resolved,” the governor concluded.
Tribe Calls Bluff
Seneca Nation leaders were quick to respond to Cuomo’s position on I-90.
“The only reason that the state repeatedly turns a blind eye to its obligation to repair the deteriorating condition of the portion of the Thruway crossing our Cattaraugus Territory is pure, simple political retribution,” Seneca President Rickey Armstrong said in a release. “He’s playing politics with the safety of the traveling public.”
In April 2018, the Seneca sued the state on grounds that the three-mile Thruway stretch in question was built illegally on its land, and the tribe should be compensated for its use. A large sign along the highway tells travelers that the tribe is owed more than $675 million in tolls.
A federal judge dismissed that case in December.
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Last Comments ( 3 )
What is happening here with the I 90 is a text book definition of dereliction of duty. The deadbeat governor givin money by the federal government to fix the road, 10 million dollars, and then doing nothing about it, putting people in harm's way, people having accidents and getting. Injured, the governor standing by watching people suffer. Again, that is the textbook definition of dereliction of duty. Dereliction of duty is grounds for termination. Tom Reed, have the governor terminated.
Tom Reed in the news said the federal government allocated 10 million dollars to my state to fix the threat stretch that is crumbling to prices. Tom reed posed the question-where is the money? Yes, when did he get this money, and how long has he been sitting on it. Another instance of dereliction of duty. He has the money but simply will not fix the road. Tom Reed reported that people are having accidents on that stretch, are getting hurt, and damage done to there vehicles. Ow ow ow ow owww! But the state claims it is not responsible for accidents or injuries. If the state was given 10 million dollars to fix this road, that fact points directly to who is responsible. The derelict governor just standing by watching people get hurt and suffering. He just dose not care about anybody. He just cares about money. And hanging on to it. Tom Reed said he would have a federal investigation on the governor into possible abuse of power. The governor called it a cheap stunt. Let's hope Tom Reed follows through with a federal investigation on this do nothing governor and kick him out of office. All he cares about is himself and money. What a deadbeat derelict governor.
Maybe the gov. Cuomo needs to put road blocks there, and detour signs. Is it gonna take someone blowing out a tire in a pot hole and rolling the car over and during. And then Cuomo will say, well gee, guess we shoulda fixed that road. Use your 15 my state casino money to fix the road. Be responsible for your my state citizens.