Kathy Hochul vetoes bill to force NYC casino bidders to move fast or lose their chance
Gov.Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill Monday that would have pushed up a deadline for bids to open a casino in or around New York City.“Changing the timeline ….
would likely have the impact of helping certain bidders and hurting others,” Hochul said in her veto message.“I cannot support a bill that aims to change the rules in the middle of the process.”The measure — passed by lawmakers in June — would have required the bidders to submit their proposals for review in August of this year, even if they hadn’t yet obtained necessary local zoning or other approvals.Hochul didn’t take action on the bill even as the new deadline passed, effectively a pocket veto of the bill which came as the state Gaming Commission is expected to approve up to three downstate casino licenses by the end of 2025.Some industry sources say the more drawn-out timetable benefits bidders facing political resistance or ongoing zoning or land-use issues.At the same time, sources said the earlier timeline to submit proposals would potentially hurt Mets billionaire owner Steve Cohen’s plan to build an $8 billion casino-entertainment complex next to CitiField in Queens or the Wynn/Related Companies proposal to build a $12 billion gaming complex in Hudson Yards, among others.In her veto message, Hochul said the casino selection process was agreed to with lawmakers as part of the 2022 state budget.“As part of the process, applicants are required to work with local governments so that their projects fall within the respective zoning laws of the municipalities,” she said.“Potential applicants have been continuously working toward ensuring that their projects are compliant.”State Sen.
Joe Addabbo (D-Queens), who championed the bill along with Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon), called out Hochul for accusing lawmakers of making changes in the middle of the lengthy proposal process.Hochul is under fire for initiating a “pause” on a hugely unpopular $15 toll to enter Midtown...