Spin Cycle
News, views and commentary on Long Island, state and national politics
Long Island will get video slots - even if statewide casino vote fails
Long Island will get two new video-slot machine parlors — even if a broader, statewide referendum to allow casinos across New York fails this fall — under a gambling-expansion agreement announced by lawmakers Wednesday.
The gambling plan, reached midnight Tuesday, is expected to be ratified by rank-and-file state legislators Friday. It would authorize four upstate casinos. Voters then would...
Read more »Nassau: Haber slams Suozzi in second ad; video below
Adam Haber, the millionaire school board member opposing former County Executive Thomas Suozzi for the Democratic nomination for the job this year, launched his second TV ad whacking Suozzi on Tuesday, saying Suozzi had “misused taxpayer dollars for his personal gain.”
The ad cited a $65,000 raise for Suozzi, half a million dollars spent on police detectives as his personal chauffeurs, and...
Read more »Rep. Israel blasts 'Princesses' show as inaccurate, stereotypic
Photo credit: Getty Images
Gov. Chris Christie has complained that "Jersey Shore" casts his state in a negative light.
Staten Island Borough President Jimmy Molinaro called '"Mob Wives" "disgraceful."
In the same vein comes Rep. Steve Israel's turn to describe what he thinks is the reality behind a 'reality' show called "Princesses: Long Island."
"Much to my dismay,...
Read more »Bill would allow Nassau to borrow $305M for tax refunds
Photo credit: Howard Schnapp
Nassau County would get state permission to borrow $305 million to pay property-tax refunds, under a bill introduced last night by state Senate Republicans.
Under the bill, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano would just need a majority vote from the county legislature to issue bonds up to $305 million. It says he wouldn’t have to go through the Nassau Interim Finance Authority to obtain...
Read more »Nassau Coliseum bidder presents a vision for the site: Video
New York Sports & Entertainment, the smallest of the four developers bidding to redevelop the Nassau Coliseum, has posted its first advertisement promoting its vision for the property.
In the 2 minute and 30 second video, posted yesterday on You Tube, and shown below, company officials stand in front of the Uniondale arena and detail their plan to downsize the Coliseum to 8,000-10,000...
Read more »Deal would OK 2,000 video slot machines on Long Island
To recap the flurry of activity last night, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and lawmakers reached a deal on a gambling-expansion bill under which Long Island would get video-slot machine parlors holding up to 2,000 terminals.
Nassau and Suffolk counties would each get to build one facility hosting up to 1,000 machines. Here’s a link to more background.
The gambling bill also includes authorization...
Read more »NYC: Weiner hails mentor Schumer on immigration bill
Mayoral hopeful Anthony Weiner on Monday night paid an unexpected compliment to his former mentor Sen. Charles Schumer, though the senator has repeatedly dodged questions about Weiner since the former Congressman announced his candidacy last month.
Weiner spoke at an Astoria, Queens, candidates’ forum that focused on technology policy, saying affordable housing and immigration reform would...
Read more »Montaukett Nation clears Senate hurdle
The state Senate gave final passage Tuesday to a bill that would create a pathway for the Montaukett Indian Nation to become a state-recognized tribe. The Senate approved the measure, 62-0, without debate.
The Assembly passed the measure last week, meaning it will now go to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo for signature or veto.
Via Newsday's Mark Harrington, here's more background...
Read more »Counties' borrowing plan hits apparent dead end
A bid by Suffolk and Nassau counties to gain state permission to borrow hundreds of millions of dollars to cover lingering debts is dead, a key lawmaker said Tuesday.
The proposal drew significant political opposition and state lawmakers said they could not reach an agreement on the initiative — which would have allowed each county to issue bonds up to $500 million. Backers...
Read more »Skelos 'optimistic' that Island will be included in gambling expansion
Photo credit: AP
The Legislature’s top Republican said Tuesday a proposal to allow video slots at off-track betting facilities on Long Island is very much alive as lawmakers try to finalize a casino bill at the State Capitol.
“I’m relatively optimistic,” Senate co-leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) said, referring to the Island being a part of New York’s plans to expand gambling. Skelos made the prediction...
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