State voters approved a proposition that will expand casino gambling in the state. The proposition, one of six that appeared on voting ballots Tuesday, will see up to seven private casinos built across the state, the first four of which are slated for the economically depressed upstate region.
Supporters, including business groups and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, said the approval could create jobs in struggling regions of the state and net millions into the economy from tourism and gaming that would otherwise be spent at out-of-state casinos like Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in Connectitcut. Detractors argued casinos would only further cripple troubled regions and would exploit those with gambling addictions and low incomes.
The proposition passed with 57 percent of the vote in the state and 60 percent of the vote in Westchester County.
Of the six proposals on Tuesday”™s ballots, only one was knocked down: Proposition 6, which would have upped the mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court judges from 70 years old to 80 years old.
Proposition 2 extended civil service credits for veterans with disabilities.
Proposition 3 extended an amendment to the state Constitution that allows municipalities to exclude debt related to sewer construction and reconstruction from regular debt limits.
Proposition 4 authorized the state legislature to settle disputed ownership over forest preserve parcels in the town of Long Lake in Hamilton County, an issue that has been dragging on 100 years. Private individuals and the state have sparred over who owns more than 200 parcels. Approval means the state will settle ownership of the parcels, create a fund from title fees, and then seek to obtain replacement land for the forest preserve. Opponents said its approval could set a precedent that favors private ownership in future disputes with the state.
Proposition 5 authorized the state to make available 200 acres of forest preserve in Essex County to NYCO Minerals Inc. for mining in exchange for $1 million worth of land to be added to the preserve. Opponents said its approval would set a precedent that would trade preserved land for private company use, but those lobbying for approval touted the proposition as being good for the local economy.
