By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
State elected officials representing Cattaraugus County expressed disappointment last week over Gov. Kathy Hochul’s failure to mention the need for a new gaming compact with the Seneca Nation of Indians during her State of the State Address.
State Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, said, “It was disappointing that there was no mention of a new gaming compact with the Seneca Nation. This issue has been unresolved for over a year.”
Borrello said, “The Seneca Nation is a vital partner in Western New York, and it’s frustrating that the state hasn’t negotiated in good faith. The Nation has been ready to work collaboratively but has faced unnecessary delays from the state.”
In a prepared statement, Assemblyman Joseph Sempolinski, R-Canestio, “I was also hoping Gov. Hochul would address the expired gaming compact with the Seneca Nation of Indians. The gaming compact expired in
December of 2023. It is long past time for the Governor to negotiate a new gaming compact in good faith that protects the interests of the Seneca Nation and New York,” he said.
‘The Seneca Nation and Seneca Gaming are one of Western New York’s largest employers, with more than 6,000 employees. Seneca Resorts and Casinos contribute $1 billion per year to the Western New York economy,” said Borrello.
Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca and members of the Tribal Council visited Albany before Hochul’s State of the State Address, stopping at Borrello’s office and meeting with other elected officials to press their case for a new compact with the state.
In a prepared statement, Borrello observed that while the governor “touched on some important topics like affordability and mental health, her proposals raise more questions than answers, and there are glaring omissions that can’t be ignored.”
Borrrello said Hochul’s focus on affordability was encouraging, but these proposals fall flat without addressing rising costs in other areas. Middle-class tax cuts, inflation refund checks, and an expanded Child Tax Credit may sound promising, but they will mean little to families already burdened by skyrocketing expenses.”
He said, “The Climate Act mandates could cost New York taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars and raise utility bills by as much as 64 percent. Small businesses in New York are being crushed by costly regulations which are ultimately passed onto consumers. Without tackling these significant cost drivers, these proposals risk being little more than temporary fixes that fail to deliver meaningful relief for New Yorkers.”
Bofrrello said, “The Governor didn’t address ending New York’s reckless sanctuary status or cooperating with federal authorities to deport those accused or convicted of crimes. Most New Yorkers support these changes and ignoring them puts public safety at risk and leaves us at odds with federal law.
“Even worse was the lack of any proposal to fix dangerous bail reform laws. The governor didn’t propose repealing them or adding a dangerousness standard, which 49 other states use to keep violent offenders off the streets. Every day, more New Yorkers are hurt or killed because of this reckless law. It’s infuriating to see headlines about repeat offenders with dozens of arrests still walking free. This failure to act emboldens criminals and puts innocent lives in danger.”
Borrello said he agreed with Hochul’s expansion of criteria for involuntary commitment and strengthening Kendfra’s Law.
“These changes could save lives and make communities safer. However, it will take real political courage to push these proposals past the radical advocates and their legislative allies who are staunchly opposed to such changes.”
Sempolinski, who succeeded Assemblyman Joseph Giglio of Gowanda in representing the 148th District, said “New Yorkers face an unprecedented affordability crisis, but it’s a crisis she contributed to.”
Hochul recognizes New Yorkers “are struggling with high costs while she continues to roll out policies that
are guaranteed to increase government spending,” Sempolinski, a former congressman and chief of staff to Giglio, said, “It’s time for some positive change. The solutions are simple: reduce the tax burden on New Yorkers, cut government spending and improve public safety by prioritizing the needs of law-abiding citizens over the needs of law-breaking criminals. All of these goals are within the power of the governor,” the assemblyman said.
Since 2018, “when one-party rule took hold,” state spending has ballooned by $70 billion , Sempolinski said. The budget is now almost $235 billion.
“We have a spending problem in New York that Governor Hochul is refusing to address,” Sempolinski said. “The governor and majority just pass the cost onto taxpayers, who are voting with their feet and leaving in unprecedented numbers,” Assemblyman Sempolinski said.
All Rights Reserved – Star News LLC – Eric M. Firkel
