NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY

Assemblyman Felix Ortiz 51st A.D.

Albany Office Room 826, Legislative Office Building Albany, New York 12248 518-455-3821 District Office 404 55th Street Brooklyn, New York 11220 718-492-6334

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 18, 2013

Ortiz proposes new Casino Revenue Distribution Program

Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz proposes an innovative distribution program that ensures fair allocation of casino revenues (Albany, NY) Felix W. Ortiz proposes new legislation that would implement a per capita distribution policy for casino revenues in response to potential casino expansion across New York State. This measure ensures that upstate cities in economic straits receive suitable shares of in-state casino profits based on population size, including Rochester and Syracuse, which represent two of the largest and most economically stressed cities in NYS. Ortizs system objectively allocates resources to ensure that no region is left behind. The expansion of the casino industry across NYS is intended to raise revenues to cover unfunded mandates, mitigate tax increases, and improve roads and infrastructure. Revenues can also be used to balance the effects of increased casino exposure by funding youth programs that teach the dangers of gambling addiction. Providing equal growth opportunities for everyone is a must, and my system improves the standard of living for all communities across the state. If you want to benefit from New Yorkers, then all New Yorkers must benefit from you, said Ortiz. Helping struggling upstate municipalities is the primary objective of casino expansion. Without Ortizs plan, cities like Buffalo and Syracuse, which represent two of the most populated and fiscally stressed regions in NYS, would not be guaranteed equal fiscal opportunities.- 30 -