Franchise Bill Slogging Along

- From the Journal News blog:

The Senate Racing and Wagering Board, after a closed-door meeting of senators, came out and voted to approve the NYRA deal. But some senators expressed concern about the deal, especially that it includes nothing for Belmont Park.

Sen. Craig Johnson, D-Long Island, voted against the legislation during the committee meeting and then walked out.

The Assembly is taking up the matter on the floor now, and some Republican assemblymen are ripping the deal, saying NYRA shouldn’t have been given the franchise again. Also, there was no community board established for Belmont, although there is one for Aqueduct and Saratoga

“NYRA has been an abysmal neighbor,” said Assemblyman Thomas Alfano, R-Long Island.

The bill, though, is now expected to pass the Assembly and the Senate.

Kinda late for these Assemblymen to now say that NYRA shouldn't get the franchise, doncha think?

[UPDATE: The Schenectady Gazette reports that the bill has passed the Assembly, but a scheduled Senate vote was delayed.

Bruno, who only has a three-vote Republican majority, is apparently having difficulty rounding up Republican votes from Long Island. The bill does not include authorization for video lottery terminals at the Belmont Park race track in Nassau County.]

[UPDATE: The Assembly passed the measure 89-40 this afternoon, and the Senate was expected to pass the bill as well. [Poughkeepsie Journal]]