H
Hannman
Guest
New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) has conceded that her office’s tentative agreement with the Seneca Nation over a new Class III gaming compact is no longer on the table.
The New York Constitution allows the governor to negotiate new compacts with federally recognized tribes. Hochul claimed to have recused herself from the Seneca talks because her husband, William Hochul, is an executive with a Seneca competitor in Delaware North.
Hochul instead appointed close staff members to handle the tribal gaming discussions. While the governor has the authority to represent the state on Class III compacts, gaming agreements can only be finalized through legislative approval.
After the state Senate passed a bill authorizing Hochul to sign a new tribal casino treaty, the Assembly stalled the measure following the Rochester casino rumblings. Neither Hochul nor the Senecas have provided their tentative agreement for public inspection.
Seneca leaders subsequently reprimanded the governor for not including other state officials, specifically those who represent Rochester, in the state’s side of the compact negotiations. Seneca President Rickey Armstrong Sr. said the governor’s transparency failures demonstrated that Hochul had an “utter disregard” for the process.
After much public backlash, Hochul said through a statement that the State Assembly’s failure to pass a bill authorizing her to sign a new Seneca deal has stalled the process.
“While we have engaged in productive discussions with the Seneca Nation recently, we were unable to reach a final agreement, and the Assembly did not pass the authorizing legislation. We look forward to continuing to work toward an agreement that works for all parties,” Hochul’s release read.
The New York Constitution allows the governor to negotiate new compacts with federally recognized tribes. Hochul claimed to have recused herself from the Seneca talks because her husband, William Hochul, is an executive with a Seneca competitor in Delaware North.
Hochul instead appointed close staff members to handle the tribal gaming discussions. While the governor has the authority to represent the state on Class III compacts, gaming agreements can only be finalized through legislative approval.
After the state Senate passed a bill authorizing Hochul to sign a new tribal casino treaty, the Assembly stalled the measure following the Rochester casino rumblings. Neither Hochul nor the Senecas have provided their tentative agreement for public inspection.
Seneca leaders subsequently reprimanded the governor for not including other state officials, specifically those who represent Rochester, in the state’s side of the compact negotiations. Seneca President Rickey Armstrong Sr. said the governor’s transparency failures demonstrated that Hochul had an “utter disregard” for the process.
After much public backlash, Hochul said through a statement that the State Assembly’s failure to pass a bill authorizing her to sign a new Seneca deal has stalled the process.
“While we have engaged in productive discussions with the Seneca Nation recently, we were unable to reach a final agreement, and the Assembly did not pass the authorizing legislation. We look forward to continuing to work toward an agreement that works for all parties,” Hochul’s release read.