U.S. Rep. Tom Reed called Tuesday for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Seneca Nation officials to begin informal talks aimed at resolving the stalemate over the Senecas announcing the end of casino revenue sharing.
“We continue to be a mediator,” Reed told reporters during his weekly press call. And, he added, “We continue to advocate for the local communities” facing a loss of the local portion of casino revenue sharing with the state.
Reed, R-Corning, said he understands the anxieties municipalities across Western New York are facing with the loss of the casino revenue sharing.
“The Nation recognizes (municipalities) are neighbors and will continue to be a good neighbor,” he said.
Reed said he understands there will be some direct payments from the Seneca Nation over emergency services costs.
Before seeking arbitration, Reed urged the two parties to sit down and talk. Cuomo recently refused again to meet with Seneca President Todd Gates and other Seneca officials.
The Senecas said the automatic renewal of the Seneca Gaming Compact for seven more years at the end of 2016 made no mention of continuing revenue sharing payments to the state, which totaled more than $1.2 billion over the past 14 years. The revenue sharing came from a 20 percent split of casino slot machines take. The state in turn shared 25 percent of that revenue with host municipalities.
For the city of Salamanca, it has amounted to more than $6 million a year. Cattaraugus County and the Salamanca City Central School District each receive a share — about $1 million — that goes toward making up for a loss of property tax revenue from the Senecas purchasing property in Salamanca on the Allegany Territory.
The governor’s reason for canceling a third meeting date late last month was because the Erie County district attorney’s office was investigating a report that an eavesdropping device was found in a room at the Buffalo Creek Casino where the state Gaming and Wagering Board held meetings.
“I’ve been in contact with the Nation and reaching out to state officials as recently as last week,” Reed said. “For the governor, in my opinion, not to take a meeting with the Nation is not the appropriate way to deal with this situation. It’s a legislative dispute between the Nation and the state and the sooner the two entities get in a room the better. Informal is the best way to start to get the two sides talking. The Nation has extended the invitation.”
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(Contact reporter Rick Miller at rmiller@oleantimesherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @RMillerOTH)