Governor promises decision on racino
Paterson says he will endorse a bid next week to install gambling terminals at Aqueduct Race Track
By BOB GARDINIER, Staff writer
First published in print: Saturday, January 2, 2010
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories...storyID=884057
ALBANY -- Governor David Paterson opened the governor's mansion to the public Friday by declaring that he will soon endorse a bid to install gambling terminals at Aqueduct Race Track.
Paterson said that as soon as next week he would name a vendor to build a video lottery terminal racino at the Queens thoroughbred track -- and try to convince Assembly and Senate leaders to back the choice.
Paterson and legislators have been unable to reach an agreement over who should run the racino.
"If the two other leaders cannot come to a conclusion and a decision about which group should be the sponsoring organization, then I think I'll be forced, as I did last year, to announce my group and hope to persuade the two other leaders," Paterson said.
Five teams have bid for the right to operate the racino, which is expected to earn millions of dollars in annual revenue for the state and the New York Racing Association.