Gov. Andrew Cuomo has repeatedly said legalizing casinos in New York will create an estimated $1 billion in economic activity.
Gee, that sure sounds like a lot of money. But where did the figure come from? What does $1 billion in “economic activity” really mean? Will the $1 billion figure be reached in one year or 10?
Cuomo has never attempted to answer those questions, just as he has avoided any debate about the costs and benefits of casinos. But David Blankenhorn uncovered the source of the $1 billion figure, as detailed in his recent op-ed in the Albany Times Union.
Turns out a footnote from one of Cuomo’s speeches cites the source as a leading casino supporter/lobbyist. James Featherstonhaugh tossed out the $1 billion figure during an interview with the Albany Business Review in 2011.
When it comes to the casino debate, Featherstonhaugh is not an impartial observer. He is a powerful lobbyist in Albany. He is one of the owners of the Saratoga Racetrack, which wants to add casino gambling to its site. He is also president of the New York Gaming Association, the organization created to push for casinos. He also happens to be a longtime Cuomo family friend and advisor to Cuomo’s father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo.
It would seem that before the governor of New York pushes a major new policy initiative that requires changing the state constitution, he would at least do some due diligence to determine the costs and benefits of unleashing more gambling on citizens. Instead, the Albany lawmakers have avoided any independent studies. There have been no public hearings. And very little debate from lawmakers.
Instead, Cuomo has essentially used an off-the-cuff quote from a gambling supporter as the basis of his push to legalize casinos. Surely, the great state of New York can do better than that.
