Casino money changes sought

CANTON — The north country's state lawmakers say they will help St. Lawrence County in its desire to cut out the middleman to get annual gaming compact revenue directly from the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino.

The state's Empire State Development Corp. requires that those receiving gaming compact revenue — St. Lawrence and Franklin counties and the towns of Massena, Brasher, Bombay and Fort Covington — seek the agency's approval on plans to spend the money before it is disbursed.

Empire State Development also requires the funds be used for economic development and gambling addiction programs.

"The original intent was that it would be paid to us directly and we'd be able to use it for what we want," said St. Lawrence County Legislature Chairman Gregory M. Paquin, D-Massena. "I don't think one man in New York state should be able to tell us how to spend our money. If we want to use it to reduce taxes, so be it."

State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, who as an assemblyman crafted the legislation allowing the counties and towns a share of the revenue, said the municipalities should be able to spend the money as they please.

"The intent was not that the counties' share would come back to them with strings attached," Mr. Aubertine said Thursday. "The intent was to mitigate some of the cost of gambling, such as extra police or first responders, or road maintenance on and off the reservation. I don't think it was ever limited to anything."

Mr. Paquin also has said he would like the state to allow the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe to pay the county directly, rather than going through Empire State Development.

The state gave the counties and towns an additional $1.7 million in compact revenue last year to make up for accounting errors that shortchanged them since 2005.

"I think it's a reasonable request they're making," said state Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome. "I will investigate what action I can initiate to accommodate the request, but I will also have a casual conversation with the head of ESDC to get a feel for what he thinks. Even if we have to look at a legislative course of action, I would be receptive."

Mr. Aubertine said he thinks the issue could be resolved through conversations with Empire State Development officials.

"The legislation probably predates some of the people who are there now," Mr. Aubertine said. "They may not be aware of what the original intent was."

Assemblywomen Dierdre K. Scozzafava, R-Gouverneur, and Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, said they also will look into the matter.

"I don't think it was supposed to be set up this way," Ms. Scozzafava said.

"We need to go back and look at the original agreement and the intent of the parties back then to see if we've run astray from the spirit of that agreement, and to see if there is a way to adjust it now to make it more productive to this economic climate," Mrs. Russell said. "I plan to work with them to come up with a solution."