Cuomo and NY legislative leaders reach NYRA deal

by | 06.17.2012 | 7:52am
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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders reached agreement late Saturday on a bill for a temporary state government takeover of the association that runs the state’s three thoroughbred tracks.

A governor’s program bill introduced late Saturday night calls for the creation of a 17-member board to take over oversight of the racing industry from the New York Racing Association for up to three years.

Under the bill, Cuomo will appoint eight members, including the board chairman. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos will have two appointments each. NYRA will have five appointments.

» Read more at New York Daily News
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  • wallyhorse

    We all knew this was coming.  We also know Cuomo is trying to set up for a Presidential bid in 2016, and I do think he has to walk a very fine line over the next three years, as if he gets too aggressive it could backfire on him, especially come 2016 if he does run.

  • Robb

    Please don’t ruin racing in New York.  That’s all I ask.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Will-LaTulippe/504050518 Will LaTulippe

    17 members?  Holy patronage, Batman!

  • FourCats

    I’m not going to defend the NYRA but at least they had Board members with some knowledge of horse racing.  I will be very surprised if the politicians don’t use these new appointments to pay back favors to party insiders regardless of any knowledge of racing.  That is what typically happens when a state government says they are going to “save” an industry.  Looks much more like a money grab by the state of the new casino money.  Sadly, this is likely to be the beginning of darker days for NY racing.
     
    And, is it really a coincidence that the “temporary” control by the state goes past the next gubernatorial election in 2014?  If they were really interested in saving horse racing and ensuring that is was more ethical, they would have overseen it for one year and reevaluate their progress at that time.

  • ThoroughbredWriter

    New York State politicians + horse racing = idiocy.  They run the New York State Lottery so well. (NOT)  FourCats hit it on the head, about political greed, favors and government “saving” the industry.  New York is dirty politics at its worst.  I couldn’t have said it better, FourCats.  Just one question, and Ray, maybe you can make this clear for me:  How can the State vote to take over an industry?  Is that allowed, by, oh, the Constitution of the United States?  :(

  • Ace

    You all are closer to the scene of the crime, but from afar here in Louisville, NYRA looked like a bunch of criminally inept jackasses.  I find it hard to believe anyone else in the universe could do worse.

  • Connie Youmans

    Wonder if all 17 have voting rights?

  • Figless

    They can not, but the NYRA board capitulated after being sat down in a back room and read the consequences of them fighting the move. Ultimately the board were non paid volunteers (anyone want to bet that the next govt appted board are paid patronage jobs?) and fighting Cuomo wasnt worth their good names being dragged through the compliant media.

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