ROCHESTER, NY — A large group rallied in downtown Rochester on Friday against putting a new Seneca Nation casino in the region.
National civil rights activist Reverend Kirsten John Foy came from New York City for the event.
“Neither here, nor today, we will ever allow a process that robs a community of its economic resources, its political voice and its social stability,” Foy said.
Social justice advocates believe that a casino in Monroe County and especially in Rochester will have serious negative impacts on an already impoverished community. However, that wasn’t the only argument being made with lawmakers, union members, businesses and other members of the gaming community there as well.
Western Region Off-Track Betting President Henry Wojtaszek says Batavia Downs, Hamburg and Finger Lakes Gaming alone generated $160 million for the state last year. He said the Senecas give the state a smaller percentage in an already saturated market.
“You can bet if there’s a casino here in Rochester, that’s going to reduce the amount of money we can send to our communities in the state and to our local members,” Wojtaszek said.
The Senecas currently operate three casinos in Western New York under a pact that expires Dec. 9. There is a framework for a new deal, and last week the state Senate authorized the governor’s office to approve it.
However, before the state Assembly tabled the authorization, lawmakers learned details leaked that, as part of a new revenue-sharing agreement, the Nation could build another casino in Monroe County .
“Our grievance as elected officials who are Democrats is not with the Seneca Nation. They have no loyalty to us. Our grievance is with our Democratic governor who we supported, who we elected to represent the issues and concerns of the our communities.” Assemblyman Demond Meeks, D-Rochester, said.
Rochester Assembly members believe they should have input. They said they have assurances from the speaker that the bill will not be introduced when they return next week unless something drastic changes.
I think the Seneca Nation deserves fair treatment. However, the sentiment in the Assembly’s Monroe County delegation, along with the potential loss of union jobs, is troubling, and we cannot move forward with a vote on the compact at this time.
— Carl E. Heastie (@CarlHeastie) June 16, 2023
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who recused herself from the negotiations because her husband works for Seneca Gaming’s competitor, Delaware North, said her office will provide details when there is something to report.
“I also have to maintain the integrity of this office and that’s why I said at the outset that I would withdraw from any area that has any complicating factors because of my husband’s work, because I want to make sure that we are out of any claim. and that’s why I had to recuse myself and I feel very confident in the result,” said Hochul.
The agreement would also have to be approved by the citizens of Seneca in a referendum and by the United States Department of the Interior. Rep. Joe Morelle, D-NY-25, also wrote to the department Friday asking it to thoroughly review the renegotiated gaming pact and reject it if it does not adequately reflect the input and considerations of local leaders and the surrounding community.
