Voters to Decide on 7 New York State Casinos
Polls are open and voters are deciding on not just candidates, but a number of ballot initiatives too—with a proposition on casinos getting top billing.
Proposal One is an amendment to the New York State constitution that would allow the Legislature to authorize up to seven casinos across the state. On the ballot itself, the state makes a case for the proposition, stating that the purpose of the amendment is “promoting job growth, increasing aid to schools, and permitting local governments to lower property taxes through revenues generated.”
The casino proposal is broken down into two phases. The first phase includes four casinos Upstate, then seven years later three casinos may be built in New York City.
The Shinnecock Indian Nation, which has a reservation in Southampton, has been eyeing casino development for a number of years, and the cause was bolstered in 2010 when the tribe received long-fought-for federal recognition. Tribal leadership has worked with a casino developer toward finding an appropriate site for a Shinnecock casino.
Should the amendment pass, there is no guarantee that the Shinnecocks will have a hand in any of the seven proposed casinos.
How did you vote on the casino amendment? Why? Leave your thoughts in a comment below.