Seneca Nation to cost Livingston County $350k

The dispute between the New York State and the Seneca Nation could cost Livingston County US$350k in revenue-sharing payments.

US.- Livingston County is on the verge of disaster as the New York State-Seneca Nation dispute could cost it US$350k in revenue-sharing payments that the tribe stopped making four months ago. Quarterly payments didn’t come through to the 16 counties this year and Livingston is in suspense as “it remains to be seen what the impact will be,” Administrator Ian Coyle said.

Casinos pay revenue shares to municipalities due to their exclusivity zone in order to be protected from competitors and expanded gambling in the area. Livingston received almost US$352k in 2016, which accounts for less than 1 percent of its US$155.8 million budget. However, it’s money that can be directed to any area in need within said budget.

“We do see a strong sense of urgency and we have encouraged the state to engage … The governor needs to figure this out. There’s too much at stake,” Stephen Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties told The Buffalo News as many counties are losing tons of money to the dispute.

The Livingston County News quoted Coyle saying in an e-mail he understands “it to be a two-party debate/discussion now with the governor and the Seneca Nation,” and adding: “We hope for a positive outcome.”

“At this point we can only tell our neighbors that the Nation continues to work with the Governor’s office to arrange a meeting between [Seneca Nation] President [Todd] Gates and Governor Cuomo. Now that the Nation’s compact payment obligation has ended, the Nation hopes to be able to work with the local communities on a new path forward,” Phil Pantano, a Seneca spokesman, told The Buffalo News.