WEST SENECA, N.Y. — Once again we are approaching the end of another session of the state legislature in Albany, and so far there is no new agreement for a new compact with the Seneca Nation of Indians to operate their casinos in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Salamanca.
2 On Your Side learned there is some frustration among Seneca leaders over the status of those talks.
As Seneca President Rickey Armstrong Jr. put it on Friday, "My time as president is winding down. I think I have six months left in my term."
Armstrong spoke at a ceremonial observance in West Seneca of the 1842 Buffalo Creek Treaty between his nation and the United States, which allowed them to hold onto their land here in Western New York. That came after many frustrating obstacles for the Seneca Nation.
But Armstrong and the nation are still waiting now for a final deal for another agreement with another government, the State of New York, for a long-term casino agreement to replace the old one from 2002, which expired last December.
While still under temporary extensions, we heard this today from President Armstrong: "To tell you the truth, personally, I'm a little disappointed at the progress, you know. I had assumed a while back that we'd be further along than we are."
Armstrong said he agreed with the state not to discuss details with the media. But previous reports indicate the state's take of 25 percent of slot revenues in tens of millions or more, which is in turn shared with the host cities of Buffalo, Nagara Falls, and Salamanca, will likely be reduced.
That is expected since the Senecas' rights of gaming exclusivity were watered down under the Cuomo Administration with new casinos.
Then you can factor in more competition for the gaming dollars with the state's legalized online sports betting. So this theory on the governor's negotiating strategy form Republican State Senator George Borrello, who is not pleased since his district covers some of their operations, and he has friends among the Seneca Nation.
Borrello told us: "I was very concerned about these automatic renewals. It behooves the governor to drag her feet on a new compact because it's likely going to mean less revenue."
Borrello says it also didn't help after the state seized $560 million in Seneca money following a previous legal dispute. Then last summer's potential deal on a compact collapsed as a quiet state plan to allow the Senecas to build a Rochester casino upset that community's lawmakers.
Gov. Kathy Hochul rejoined negotiations with her downstate advisers after her husband retired from rival gaming firm Delaware North. But Borrello still says another state official should be involved.
"The comptroller's office did offer their services to have oversight of this agreement. I think it adds integrity to the process," Borrello said.
But back to Armstrong, who still expressed some mixed Seneca optimism.
"I am a little disappointed that we're not ... we haven't finished. But we're close and we're pretty close. We need to hammer out a few details and I think it will be beneficial for us and Western New York," Armstrong said.
The Governor's Office issued this statement on the casino negotiations "Late last year, Governor Hochul successfully secured a short-term extension of the current gaming compact with President Armstrong signifying significant good faith towards negotiating a long-term resolution. Our administration is working with the Seneca Nation of Indians to make sure we have an agreement that is fair, serves the interests of all parties, and addresses the needs of key stakeholders and we look forward to continuing to work toward an agreement."
But again any new long-term casino agreement requires approval from Seneca Nation members. the U.S. Interior Department, and state lawmakers, who end their session in three weeks.