By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-896155.mp3
Albany. NY – Five weeks after Aqueduct Entertainment Group's controversial bid to develop the "racino" at Aqueduct Racetrack fell through, state GOP legislative leaders have come up with a plan, as we hear in this report from Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas.
Republican legislators were in Albany Tuesday, calling for the passage of "transparent" legislation to select a vendor to develop and operate a video gaming facility at Aqueduct Raceway. Saying they intend to restore public trust, New York State Senators Marty Golden, Roy McDonald, Betty Little,and Assemblyman Tony Jordan, have come up with a plan to get the Video gaming facility back on the legislature's front burner. Senator Golden says the state is losing a million dollars a day every day VLTs aren't in place at Aqueduct. Legislation authorizing those VLTs was passed in 2001 to generate funds for education and encourage economic development in communities surrounding racetracks. Every other authorized VLT location is operational EXCEPT Aqueduct. Senator Betty Little says the delay is inexcusable. The legislators say the new round of bidding will be open to all vendors, including AEG. Last month, Governor David Paterson is on record as being in favor of reopening the bid process.