NYS Seal

ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON RACING AND WAGERING

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

SUBJECT:
The Impact of the Stockbridge-Munsee Catskills Casino Compact on the State and the Gaming Industry

PURPOSE:
To review the State's Tribal-State Gaming Compact with the Stockbridge-Munsee Indians as it affects the local and state economies and the existing racing and pari-mutuel wagering industry.

Wednesday
February 2, 2011
11:00 am
Hamilton Hearing Room B
Legislative Office Building, 2nd Floor
Albany, NY 12248

ORAL TESTIMONY BY INVITATION ONLY

In November 2010, the State of New York entered into a Tribal-State Gaming Compact with the Wisconsin-based Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians. Under the terms of the Compact, which is now awaiting federal approval, the Tribe would be authorized to develop a casino offering table games and slot machines in the Catskill region as part of a land settlement agreement with the State. In the weeks following the agreement, concerns arose that the measure, which was effectuated without public input, could pose significant, fiscal implications for the State. In light of these developments, the Assembly Standing Committee on Racing and Wagering will hold a public hearing on February 2, 2011 to invite affected parties and industry stakeholders to provide testimony on the potential economic impact the new casino, if approved, may have on the State as well as its existing network of casinos, "racinos" and thoroughbred race tracks.

Oral testimony will be accepted by invitation only. Any persons invited to testify or wishing to present pertinent written testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form by Friday, January 28, 2011. It is important that the enclosed reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to fifteen minutes duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

J. Gary Pretlow
Member of Assembly
Chairman
Committee on Racing and Wagering



PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearing on the financial impact of the Stockbridge-Munsee casino proposal on New York State and the racing industry are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email or fax it to:

Jonathan Lynch
Committee Assistant
Assembly Committee on Racing and Wagering
New York State Capitol - Room 442
Albany, New York 12248
Email: lynchj@assembly.state.ny.us
Phone: (518) 455-4311
Fax: (518) 455-7095
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I plan to attend the following public hearing on the financial impact of the Stockbridge-Munsee casino proposal on New York State and the racing industry to be conducted by the Assembly Committee on Racing and Wagering on February 2, 2010.
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I plan to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to fifteen minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide ten copies of my prepared statement.
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I will address my remarks to the following subjects:




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I do not plan to attend the above hearing.
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I would like to be added to the Committee's mailing list for notices and reports.
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I would like to be removed from the Committee's mailing list.
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I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required:




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