New York's Stupidity

When New York legalized Off Track Betting Parlors, they were opened in poor neighborhoods.

I've written in the past about witnessing the community destruction of a neighboring community.

It was poor, but they were gradually improving their neighborhood. Home ownership was increasing and along with it, pride in ownership.

The rents were low and attracted numerous small niche type stores that didn't fit well into a mall.

Along with OTB, came cars parked 4 deep, obstructing traffic by the 'Get Rich Quick' seekers.

Along with the patrons came crime, purse-snatching, carjackings, drugs, prostitution, driving out the small businesses.

No short-sighted politician considered the cause.

The Big Box stores that open only do so for tax incentives. When those expire, they're gone.

Instead of addressing waste and corruption, Governor Cuomo proposes the lazy route that his father had the wisdom to eschew.

Religious Groups To Meet With Lawmakers Today On Non Indian Casinos In Ny

05.22.12 | Sarah Harnisch

A group of religious advocates are pushing back against Governor Cuomo's plan to build seven non-Indian casinos in New York. State lawmakers in March passed a constitutional amendment that would allow for the 7 full-fledged casinos statewide. It still has to be passed consecutively by both sessions of the legislature, and then by a vote of the public. But a group called "The Coalition Against Gambling" in New York is already trying to stop the casinos. They met with state lawmakers Monday and will meet again today to connect with incumbents running for re-election who will be voting on the casino amendment next year. The group says it raises moral questions for a state to raise cash on gambling.
http://www.fln.org/fln-news/article/religious-groups-to-meet-with-lawmakers-today-on-non-indian-casinos-in-ny/