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/

Anti-Gambling Group Holds Conference in Buffalo

Anti-Gambling Group Holds Conference in Buffalo
Written by Allison Jagow

BUFFALO, NY - The contentious issue of legalized gambling is once again up for discussion and debate in Western New York and around the state.

The group known as Coalition Against Gambling in New York held its statewide conference Saturday in Buffalo with a variety of discussion and speakers on topics including recognizing gambling as an addiction.

They realize state officials are also studying the idea of state - sanctioned casinos to bring in extra revenue to Albany.

Governor Cuomo points out the presence of casinos run by the Senecas and other tribes but the coalition says there are potential hidden dangers like bankruptcy, crimes, and suicide for compulsive gamblers.

"You have gaming in the state. And by the way, you have gaming in neighboring states. So it's not really an issue anymore about well if we don't officially sanction it as a government, it's not going to happen. It is happening." stated Cuomo.

Dr. Stephen Shafer of the Coalition said, "We're not really prohibitionists in the sense that we're going out to say right now that every casino in New York state ought to be closed tomorrow. But that we start by preventing expansion of gambling opportunities in the state..predatory gambling opportunities."

State licensed casinos would require a change to the state constitution by lawmakers and voters.