Recently, Gov. Andrew Cuomo vetoed a bill — that was passed almost unanimously by both houses of the state legislature — that would have provided Madison County 25 percent of revenues generated from video gambling in the county. Currently, Madison County is the only county in the state that hosts casino gambling but does not receive a share in the revenues.
In his veto message, Cuomo said the bill, which passed 59-1 in the Senate and 124-4 in the Assembly, “could compromise the multi-party compact that has been in place since 2013.” In that compact, Madison County accepted an annual $3.5 million payment as well as a one-time $11 million payment in lieu of gaming revenues. At the time of the agreement, however, there were no gaming revenues in Madison County and no outlook for any to be created.
Madison County officials are upset by the veto. John M. Becker, chair of the county Board of Supervisors, issued a press release titled, “Governor Cuomo tells Madison County Residents to Drop Dead,” in which he stated that the county is simply looking for its fair share. “I am not sure why our residents are being treated differently than every other county’s residents,” Becker said.
Cazenovia Town Supervisor Bill Zupan mentioned the veto at the board’s Oct. 3 meeting and also lamented the fact that Madison County is the only county in the state not receiving gaming revenue. He urged town residents to contact the governor’s office and tell him they want their fair share.
While Cuomo said he is directing state officials to find another revenue-sharing formula that will work for Madison County, we agree with Zupan that county residents need to speak up on this issue. While we recognize there was an original agreement that needs to be amended, the importance and popularity of that emendation will not be apparent to the governor unless his constituents speak up and make it known.
