Assemblyman Bill Magee (D-Nelson) announced that legislation he authored to ensure Madison County receives a share of revenue from gaming facilities within the county has passed the Assembly (A.7844).
“Gaming facilities have the potential for enormous economic return, but unfortunately, Madison County hasn’t seen any of the benefits that come with hosting a casino within its borders,” said Magee. “This legislation will help ensure the county gets a share of the revenue to offset the municipal costs of casino expansion and provide much-needed support for vital community services.”
With the recent opening of the Yellow Brick Road Casino in Chittenango, Madison has become the only county in the state to host a Native American casino without receiving a host community benefit, or a share of the state’s gaming revenue generated within its borders.
Magee’s legislation would ensure Madison County is entitled to the same host community benefit currently in place for Oneida County, allowing significant reinvestment in county infrastructure, emergency services and other programs impacted by gaming facility expansion.
The agreement is fair and equitable for the residents of Madison County without economically burdening the Oneida Indian Nation, Magee noted. The measure, sponsored by Senator David Valesky (D – Oneida) in the Senate, has now passed both houses of the state Legislature and awaits delivery to the governor.