Both New York State and the Seneca Nation of Indians applaud the extension of the current gaming agreement between the two organizations.
Governor Kathy Hochul and Seneca Nation of Indians President Ricky L. Armstrong Sr. met in Buffalo and signed an extension through March 31. Contract extensions will automatically renew unless either party renews the contract or decides on new gaming terms. has been agreed. The terms of the agreement remain unchanged, and the two sides plan to meet again in the coming weeks to continue negotiations on a long-term agreement.
“(Friday), I returned to Buffalo to meet with President Armstrong and commemorate the extension of the current gaming agreement to allow our nation and the Seneca Nation to continue working toward a long-term solution. ,” Hochul said. “The signing of this agreement provides important momentum for the negotiations surrounding the agreement. I remain committed to working with President Armstrong and the Seneca Nation to finalize an agreement that is fair to all parties.” We look forward to continuing our discussions and having many more conversations in the coming weeks and months.”
Armstrong praised the extension and pointed to the need to continue the discussion. “This extension will ensure that our three gaming facilities continue to operate without interruption and alleviate concerns about the potential impact on thousands of casino employees, which has been a national priority. ” During our discussion, Governor Hochul expressed a desire to reset the relationship between the two governments. “No issue is more important to the economy of Western New York and the Seneca Nation than a fair deal,” he said. “Tens of thousands of individuals, families, and businesses across Western New York rely on agreements that secure the important jobs, business opportunities, and economic benefits that the Seneca Nation brings to the Western New York economy. While the short-term extension is an important step, more important work remains. We remain committed to negotiating in good faith and directly with New York State on the agreements we provide.”
State Sen. George Borrello also released a statement Saturday supporting the deal. “The Seneca Nation is a valued neighbor to Western New York, and its gaming facilities and resorts are a major economic driver. The agreement is subject to uncertainty that has increasingly clouded this issue as its expiration date approaches. This will reduce this to some extent.
“I urge the Hochul administration to use this extension productively, rather than as an excuse for the future. The governor and his team must negotiate in good faith on an agreement that is fair to all parties. We need to come to the table with a commitment to address this issue. So far this process has lacked that commitment.”