Assembly Action Highlights
February 11 - 15, 2008

Dan Weiller, Press Secretary

"Assemblyman Gary Pretlow and I have remained committed since last summer to bring about a sensible and fiscally sound agreement on the future of thoroughbred and harness racing that provides for greater accountability and transparency and firmly establishes state ownership of Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga," Silver said. "This legislation transforms NYRA and provides vital support throughout New York State."

"The agreement reached protects the industry, labor and more than 40,000 employees across the state," said Pretlow, who also praised all sides for their work in negotiating the agreement, which would make the state's racing industry more transparent and accountable. "This newly reconstructed board successfully brings all the stakeholders to the table."

The legislation (A.9998) authorizes NYRA to continue to operate the Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, and the Legislature's 2001 approval of video lottery terminals at Aqueduct will finally become a reality.

Silver said the bill addresses concerns the Assembly set out to resolve, including recognition of the important economic contributions harness tracks make to localities. The measure will direct more of the VLT revenues to be used for marketing and capital improvements, which will boost local communities and ultimately increase state revenues.

The bill was delivered to the Governor.

Silver Appoints Magnarelli As New Ethics And Guidance Committee Chair
Silver named William Magnarelli chair of the Assembly Ethics and Guidance Committee.

"Bill Magnarelli is known in the Assembly Majority for his broad range of community involvement and his strong advocacy for Syracuse and Central New York," Silver said. "I know that his focus on getting results and serving people of New York will make him an excellent chair of the Ethics and Guidance Committee."

"The work of the Ethics and Guidance Committee is central to setting and maintaining high standards of integrity," Magnarelli sad. "I am honored to be selected as the next committee chair and I am committed to providing strong leadership on these very important matters."

Assembly Passes Legislation to Preserve and Protect Great Lakes
Silver and Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Robert K. Sweeney last week announced passage of legislation to adopt the provisions of an eight-state plan to enhance the management and protection of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin.

The Legislation (A.7266-B) calls on each participating state to increase or develop water conservation programs while coordinating planning between them. Once passed by the compact members - Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - the agreement will be submitted for Congressional approval and implementation. To date, Illinois and Minnesota have already passed the compact.

"This legislation will protect the largest body of fresh water in the world," Silver said. "The quality and quantity of water in the Great Lakes have a tremendous impact on the environmental and economic health of Upstate New York and our country. Signing onto the compact supports an important resource for recreation and tourism."

"This historic agreement is designed to ensure protection of the waters of the Great Lakes, now and in perpetuity. Over 40 percent of our state lies within the Great Lakes Basin," Sweeney said. "The Great lakes are an important environmental resource and economic driver for the state. The compact is designed as proactive legislation to shelter and preserve the Great Lakes."

The bill was delivered to the Senate.

Legislature Concludes Joint Budget Hearings
Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chairman Herman "Denny" Farrell and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Owen Johnson concluded their series of 12 hearings on matters related Gov. Spitzer's 2008-09 Executive Budget proposal. Hearings were held to examine portions of the budget including education, healthcare, economic development, public protection and taxes.

The Legislature will now review the public testimony gathered at the hearings and each house will craft separate budget resolutions and meet in public conference committees to reconcile any differences to reach an agreement on potential legislative amendments to the governor's budget submission.