In light of the recent announcement New York state will advance casino revenues to the City of Niagara Falls, Niagara County leaders of the of have asked that the county's casino revenues also be advanced.
"We are asking the governor to advance our share of the casino revenues. The dispute between the Seneca Nation and the governor is just that, a dispute between the Seneca Nation and the governor. Niagara County did not draft or negotiate the compact, and the taxpayers of Niagara County should not be penalized," Majority Leader Randy Bradt said. He added, "Niagara County is within an exclusivity zone. Niagara County cannot host a casino within its borders. Even though the Seneca Nation has stopped making payments, the county is still prohibited from hosting a casino. The governor should honor the obligation to the county taxpayers."
Chairman Wm. Keith McNall said, "Casino revenues have been used for direct tax relief for the county taxpayers. If the governor expects to be victorious in the pending arbitration, he should advance tax relief to the county now.
"Considering the City of Niagara Falls has received an advance of its casino revenues, we would expect the governor to do the same for the rest of the residents within Niagara County."