To the Editor:
(Hamilton, NY – June 2013
) The proposed settlement agreement between the Oneida Indians operating the casino and their other enterprises (the Oneidas) and the state of New York and the counties of Madison and Oneida has at least four serious flaws that need to addressed.
1. There is no provision for lost tax revenue for schools. This could devastate schools in the zone. Also, with up to 4,000 more acres in Madison County and up to 8,000 more acres in Oneida County being allowed to be acquired and removed from the tax rolls (on top of the 18,000 acres already off), the consequences need to be addressed in the agreement.
2. The revenue to the state needs to be some percentage of all gaming revenue. As drafted, it is 25 percent of only selected games. That is a formula for manipulation and dispute. By taking a percentage of all revenue, the incentives work in the same direction for the Oneidas and the state.
3. Deputizing the private police force of the Oneidas is a very bad idea. That idea worked poorly in the past, and having people with full police powers over our citizens who work for and are paid by a private corporation, should deeply concern everyone.
4. The revenues promised to the counties from the state should be integrated into the constitutional amendment process to allow casino gambling (a contingency of the whole agreement), so that they do not become part of the annual political fight around the state budget. The state’s track record for paying municipalities what they have promised is very poor.
In addition to these issues, some experts should look carefully at the long-term economic consequences of losing the tax revenue from the acreage going off the tax rolls as compared to expected payments from the state.
The legal basis of entering into this agreement by our government with what is essentially a private corporation, which is separate and apart from the Oneida Indian tribal leadership, is a large concern, but beyond the legal knowledge of this author.
Considering the consequence and permanence of this proposed agreement, it should be looked at carefully and thoroughly with the above changes and possibly others before any legislative body considers voting on it.
Chris Kendall, Chairman, Madison County Conservative Party