Cuomo proposal allows gov control of New York Racing Association [View all]
ALBANY -- A key senator said Wednesday that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos proposal to re-privatize the New York Racing Association gives the governor a way of maintaining control over the entity that runs horse racing at Aqueduct Racetrack and Belmont Park.
And thats not a good thing, said Sen. John Bonacic, chairman of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee.
Under Cuomos plan, unveiled a day earlier as part of his proposed state budget, NYRAs board no longer would contain a majority of government appointees, which is what the industry wanted, Bonacic said. However, the plan also calls for continued use of a NYRA oversight board to which Cuomo names three of the five appointees. Further, the oversight board would have the power to impound NYRA revenues under certain conditions.
I have a problem with that because he would still control NYRA through the oversight board, said Bonacic (R-Mount Hope).
Read more: http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle/key-senator-cuomo-proposal-allows-backdoor-control-of-nyra-1.12976313