FLASHBACK TO JAN 2: GOV PATERSON SAYS HE’LL ENDORSE A BID NEXT WEEK ON AQUEDUCT SLOTS
At the beginning of this year, New York Governor Paterson pledged to name a company to handle the installation of VLTs at Aqueduct by the following week. We applauded his leadership and made the case he was trying to curry favor from the horse industry as he faced a severely uphill battle to win reelection in 2010. It was an opportunity to cut through the minutiae of Albany politics and actually get something done for the horse industry in the Empire State.
And yet it is now the end of the month and Paterson has still not come through on his claim. His time frame for victory is severely deteriorating. Even Penn National recently released a statement to the Governor walking a thin line, not quite accusing him of shutting them out of the process. Paterson is unfortunately proving why he has been such an ineffective leader and is hurting his chances to be taken seriously in the future.
Click here for the original January 2nd article from the Albany Times-Union
Then come back to the Paulick Report and let us know what you think
Tags: Albany, Albany Time-Union, aqueduct, bradford cummings, Empire State, Governor David Paterson, nyra, otb, Paulick Report, penn national, VLT
January 28th, 2010 at 9:16 am
It’s complete nonsense. And we are completely dependent on the State to solve the issues. It’s and election year and politics at it’s best in NY. These politicians don’t want to turn away any money they are receiving from the group of vendor bidders, so they are dragging this out to the last minute. I know they are being hounded by the NY industry too, publicly and in the media. But the State leaders really are showing that they simply don’t care about horse racing. The more I listen to Jeff Cannizzo of NYTB, the more I like what he has to say. Industry needs more leadership weapons like him to tackle these clowns.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Today is another day, so let’s see. Perhaps an announcement on the tails of the Obama speech? Paterson is on ABC’s “The View” today at 11:00 a.m.
January 28th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Good thing I didn’t bet on my longshot prediction!! Maybe Governor Paterson just forgot, a senior moment of sorts? Who knows. Meanwile, Rome burns.