Senate road blocks Spitzer and NYRA

Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, whose district covers Saratoga Springs, thinks an 11-member public authority board called the New York State Racing, Gaming and Equine Sports Development Corp. should choose a firm to run Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga Race Course.

The board would be comprised of political appointees and representatives from the racing industry.

Then they would decide what entity should run the three race tracks and video lottery terminals (VLTs) at Aqueduct and Belmont. This agency would operate independently of the government, but still have requirements under them.

NYRA’s current contract expires Dec. 31. Spitzer’s plan was accepted by the Democratic majority in the Assembly in early September. In his proposal NYRA would continue to operate the three race tracks for the next 30 years and the state would pay $250 million to settle debts amassed by NYRA.

In Bruno’s plan the new agency would have to be approved, all 11 of its members chosen and the selection of vendors all by Dec. 31.

If no legislative decision can be made by then, an Oversight Board would operate racing at the three tracks next year. The Oversight Board was created by former Republican Gov. George Pataki.