Seneca Nation, Hochul administration may have negotiated deal for Rochester casino

The Seneca Nation and the administration of Gov. Kathy Hochul have possibly negotiated an agreement that could bring a casino to Rochester.

Few specifics are presently available but lines are already being drawn among supporters, who see it as an economic boon, and opponents, who contend the economic returns are overstated and that it will feed gambling addiction.

Late last week the state Senate approved a bill authorizing the governor to negotiate a new gambling pact with the Senecas. The current pact expires in December of this year.

"I have concerns with the announced deal between New York State and the Seneca Nation," state Senator Jeremy Cooney said in a statement. "As a state senator, I did not feel comfortable voting in favor of legislation that removes state lawmakers from their oversight responsibilities and limits input from the public. I voted no.

"Before a state compact is made with the Seneca Nation, I believe there needs to be an opportunity for public comment and demonstrated partnership with local governments, including the City of Rochester," Cooney said.

The Seneca Nation did not immediately provide comment Monday.

What comes next for the legislation?

After being approved in the Senate, the legislation will go to the Assembly. But it's hitting roadblocks there.

State Assemblymember Harry Bronson, D-Rochester, said the information about a possible casino in the City of Rochester came as a surprise late Friday.

"Certainly I would want local officials to be part of that discussion as well as our families that live in the city and surrounding area," he said. The Assembly "put a pause" on the the legislation − which doesn't specifically mention a Rochester casino − until questions about the new agreement between New York and the Seneca Nation could be answered, Bronson said.

When he first tried to reach out to Gov. Kathy Hochul's office regarding those questions, he was told his usual liaison was under a non-disclosure agreement and couldn't discuss his inquiries.

Hochul's office didn't immediately respond to the USA Today Network's requests for comment Monday. The governor recused herself from negotiations surrounding the compact, given her husband William Hochul's position with Delaware North, a hospitality and gaming company that works with racinos that compete with the Seneca Nation's casinos.

When asked about the possibility of a Rochester casino at a media appearance in Buffalo Monday, Hochul didn't provide details, but said her team was "very involved," and that they were "waiting for support from the legislature in time to get this completed."

The Assembly left Albany over the weekend, and they have a tentative plan to reconvene later this month to consider more legislation.

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How did Rochester officials react to news of a possible Rochester casino?

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello echoed Bronson's sentiment, saying the casino possibility should be discussed "out in the open."

"It’s deeply troubling that this community has now been placed in this position of debating an issue without knowing the full details of what has been negotiated," Bello said in a statement Monday.

On Twitter, Rochester Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Bob Duffy said he supports the extension of a compact with the Senecas. "The compact agreement is a long time coming - but I highly doubt it specifically mandates a casino in the city of Rochester," Duffy Tweeted.

The decision, Duffy wrote, is up to Mayor Malik Evans, local and state leaders and the Seneca Nation.

"We have heard lots of chatter about the possibility of a casino license being granted in the Rochester area," Evans said in a statement. "It should be noted that neither City leadership nor members of our New York State delegation has been involved in any conversations related to this possibility. Any conversation of this magnitude that does not include local stakeholders is unacceptable.

"There are already numerous casinos in the Rochester area," Evans said. "My focus remains on meaningful opportunities that create a vibrant Rochester economy focused on the jobs of the 21st century."

The Rochester City Council released a letter to Hochul opposing the casino Monday, which was signed by all members.

"We hope that the signatures of every member of the Common Council of the City of Rochester makes very clear that we are opposed to this project as we currently understand it," the letter read.

County Legislator Rachel Barnhart is asking fellow county lawmakers to take a stand against the casino, if proposed. Casinos do not "create new wealth, employment or tourism," she wrote in a memo to the Legislature. Instead, she wrote "a casino would cannibalize existing dollars spent in our community."

Gov. Hochul recused herself from negotiations with the Seneca Nation. The Buffalo News recently reported that she opted to recuse herself because of her husband's position as general counsel with Delaware North, a global gaming and hospitality company.

New York State Team Editor Sarah Taddeo contributed to this report.