Niagara's state legislators trying to recoup casino revenues

The Niagara Region's state legislators - including sens. George Maziarz and Mark Grisanti, and Assemblyman John Ceretto - have been working hard behind the scenes to help resolve the dispute between the Seneca Nation of Indians and the state of New York over the distribution of revenues from the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel.  In January 2009, the Seneca Nation began withholding revenue payments due to its belief that the state breached the 2002 compact that gave gaming exclusivity rights to the Native American tribe.

In particular, the trio has been trying to find a way to help ensure that local entities, which have received millions of dollars in casino revenues for nearly a decade (including the City of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Falls City School District, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, and the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation), are reimbursed. 

According to Grisanti's camp, recognizing that the Seneca Nation's dispute is with the state, not the local organizations trying to provide essential services in the community, an announcement will be made Thursday that will positively benefit this region.