What has to happen for the casino to be built?
There are two possible routes. In the first, the front door route, the governor has to negotiate a compact with the Seneca-Cayugas that would specify sales tax and other issues. It has to be passed out of legislative committees and approved by both houses of the state legislature. Because the legislature in 2001 (to ease budget problems related to 9-11) approved three casinos in Sullivan or Ulster Counties, no new casino enabling legislation may be needed. If the state legislature allows county legislatures veto power over proposed casinos, the matter would go to the Ulster County Legislature for a vote. In June the legislature voted 33-0 not to enter into negotiations for a casino in a town that opposed it. (Both Saugerties Town Supervisor Greg Helsmoortel and Village Mayor Robert Yerick oppose the casino, and all members of the town and village boards have also voted to oppose it. A legislative commission has been appointed to study a casino in Saugerties or elsewhere in the county.)
