Senator Mark Grisanti (R-60th District) and Assemblyman John Ceretto (R,I-Lewiston) have introduced legislation to increase revenues collected from Tribal casinos by local municipalities. The legislation, which amends the Tribal State Compact, allows municipalities to collect up to 50 percent of the net drop from electronic gaming devices. Under current law, municipalities may only collect up to 25 percent of the net drop from these machines.
“Local municipalities continue to bear the brunt of the cost of maintaining the roadways and infrastructure, which these casinos rely on. It is only fair that localities receive more funding from the casinos in order to pay for these services and updates, while reducing the strain on the local tax base,” said Ceretto. “This additional funding would also help localities bolster the region’s tourism industry and help promote economic growth while creating important private-sector jobs.”
Senator Grisanti said: "This important legislation will double the amount of revenue being received by the City of Niagara Falls. This means more money for important economic development engines that are the gateway to revitalizing this city. The Niagara Falls Casino money represents an important resource to move along projects that will serve as the linchpins for growth."
Grisanti and Ceretto argue that the legislation would put an end to the state, which currently collects the lion’s share of this revenue, from shortchanging local municipalities, and would ensure that this increase in local revenue is used for regional improvements instead of being used to pad Albany’s coffers.
“This funding would go a long way towards finally bringing Niagara Falls its fair share. Our area needs good paying permanent jobs and we should enjoy a greater portion of the revenues generated in our city,” said Ceretto. “The passage of this legislation would be a win win for the region and I look forward to working with Senator Grisanti and other local state officials to get this bill passed.”
