The odds that Western New York will benefit from the addition of Seneca Nation-owned casinos throughout the area are slim, according to State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt.
The Political Science Student Association welcomed Hoyt as a guest speaker at its forum Monday, Sept. 9. Hoyt, a democrat, represents the 144th Assembly District, which encompasses areas of Buffalo including the University District and Grand Island.
On the agenda were the proposed casinos in the Western New York area. Hoyt is an opponent of the plan, which New York Gov. George E. Pataki supports.
"Some have tried to package this as some sort of economic panacea for a struggling economy," Hoyt said. "The fact is that the evidence says very differently."
Recent negotiations between Pataki and Seneca Indian Nation President Cyrus Schindler have brought Western New York closer to creating up to six gaming locations within the area, including one each in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Salamanca, as well as three within the Catskills region.
Hoyt said that while Pataki is a leading proponent of the casinos, the governor commissioned a task force in 1996 to research the issue, which brought back negative findings. The study showed that the type of buildings proposed would actually result in the net loss of thousands of jobs for Western New York.
The jobs the casino will provide, Hoyt said, are those that "you can't raise a family on," and that the jobs "come with few benefits."
"Yes, jobs will be created in the casino, but the secondary jobs in the community will be lost because the casino will be sucking in so many revenues," said Hoyt.
He said existing businesses, such as the entertainment industry, the theater industry, sports, and surrounding hotels and restaurants would see a decline in sales and possibly be forced to close or relocate.
According to the New York constitution, construction of casinos is illegal. However, an agreement is in development between the state and the Seneca Nation that, if approved, would make the casinos sovereign territory of the Seneca Nation.
Since the state has no jurisdiction over the Seneca Nation, the Senecas would be under no obligation to enforce state laws protecting the rights of construction working and supporting labor unions.
Hoyt also questioned how economically sound such an agreement would be for Western New York.
Under the proposed 14-year agreement, 25 percent of revenue derived from slot machines inside the casinos will be distributed to the state. Of that 25 percent, said Hoyt, Buffalo's share will be 1.5 percent.
"I've done the math, and my math shows that the city of Buffalo and the County of Erie . would receive somewhere between four and six million dollars annually," he said.
Hoyt does not believe the sum is adequate to cover costs relating to combating the social problems a casino invites, such as prostitution, violence and theft. He also feels a cluster of up to six casinos in the area is too many for Western New York to draw a profit.
Hoyt said the Senecas would be able to sell items like tobacco, liquor and gasoline exempt from tax in the casino areas, which he believes would crush the competitive edge of surrounding businesses.
There are alternate remedies for a fiscally struggling Buffalo, Hoyt said, including making Western New York more business-friendly, dropping utility costs and increasing high-speed rail transportation.
A Buffalo native, Hoyt said he is frustrated that citizens do not get more of a say in the negotiations. Some students agreed.
"I'm a supporter of Pataki, but not on this issue," said Political Science SA President Bruce Sherman. "(Hoyt's) saying a lot of what a lot of politicians in Western New York are saying."
Nicholas Dunford, a member of PSSA, agreed, saying, "Before, I was in favor of casinos, but now I'm thinking a lot harder about them."
However, proponents believe the casinos will improve the economy in Western New York by decreasing the number of residents who go to Casino Niagara.
"It will keep people's money here instead of having them spend it in Canada," said Ben Hoover, a senior electrical engineering major.
The next speaker PSSA will host is New York State Assemblyman Jim Hayes on Monday, Oct. 7.
