THEY'RE PICKIN ON MITTENS AGAIN

BONACIC OFFERS THE CASINO BILL

John Bonacic, pictured here with Mary Wawro of 

Saugerties, has offered a bill in the State Senate 

that would open New York State to casino gambling

without the Native American reservation restrictions.

It may be time we actually think about this. 

Way to go John!

Here is the Bill as posted: 

BILL NUMBER:S6734

TITLE OF BILL:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY
proposing an amendment to subdivision 1 of section 9

of article 1 of the constitution, in relation to 

casino gambling in the state

PURPOSE:
Provides for the authorization of commercial casino 

gambling in New York State.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Article 1, Section 9 of the State Constitution would

be amended to allow no more than seven casinos as 

authorized and prescribed by the legislature.

EXISTING LAW:

Article 1, Section 9 of the State Constitution 

generally proscribes all gambling except for four 

exceptions. These four exceptions are: 

(1) pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing; 

(2) State lotteries; 

(3) bingo conducted by certain charitable, 

non-profit and religious organizations; and 

(4) games of chance conducted by these same 

charitable, non-profit, and religious organizations.

JUSTIFICATION:
Casino gaining has significant potential to be a 

major economic engine for New York State and the 

fact is that gaming already exists throughout the 

State but the State is unable to fully capitalize on
it. Native Americans have five casinos and there are 

nine racinos at the racetracks in New York State. 

In fact, New York State now has more than 29,000 

electronic gambling machines; More than Atlantic City

and more than any state in the Northeast or Midwest.

New York State is also surrounded by gambling. 

States & Canadian provinces just across the State's 

borders have legalized casino gambling and they are 

the beneficiaries of the tourism, revenue, and good 

jobs that could be in New York.

It is estimated that over $1 billion of economic 

activity can be generated from casino gaming. Passing 

a Constitutional amendment would allow New York to 

maximize opportunities. Limiting casino gambling to 

between three and eight facilities guarantees there 

will not be an excessive proliferation of casinos 

within New York State.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Over the past 40 yrs, numerous resolutions have been 

introduced to amend the Constitution in New York 

to authorize commercial casino gambling. 

None of these proposals have achieved the required
second passage by the legislature and have never 

been subject to a vote of the electorate. 

In 2011, Assembly Bill No.3293/Senate Bill No. 3326, 

Assembly Bill No. 3605/Senate Bill No. 3327, and 

Assembly Bill No. 6753 were introduced to authorize 

casino gambling. None of the bills were acted on.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:
There are no immediate budget implications since the 

Constitutional amendment cannot go into effect until 

January 1, 2014. Future budget implications would 

depend on the enabling legislation that would 

accompany passage of the amendment.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
Constitutional amendments require the passage of a 

concurrent resolution by two separately elected 

Legislatures and subsequent approval by the voters. 

As a result, the amendment could not take
effect until January 1, 2014.

CONGRATS RICKY

Congrats to Ricky Santorum on his primary wins in Alabama and Mississippi. The south may actually rise again. Who knows.
  
Will Newt get out and provide the path for Ricky to take Romney out at Tampa? Time will only tell.
Meanwhile, None of them are talking about GWBush, the two unnecessary wars, Medicaid Part D, Wall Street prospecting inflated gas prices and that the Stock market is way up & economy is turning around.  
C'mon fellas, get to these talking points. You'll be faced with it once either of you is the nominee.

WHATS THE BEEF?

I know what you're thinking... but last month McDonald's announced it would stop using the stuff. So now you're thinking the industry will avoid this stuff right?

But back in February, this pink amonia slime got a de facto endorsement from the USDA, which plans to keep buying millions of pounds of it for use in the National School Lunch Program. 

To find out the full story behind the return of pink slime, click here.

THE O'BAMAS ENJOYING GUINNESS

Last year, while in Dublin, the President and Michele hit a few pubs and enjoyed Guinness among other cocktails. Where do you think they will be this St. Patrick's Day?
More importantly, where will you be?

City of Kingston St Patrick's Day parade will be this Sunday. Rendezvous Lounge, among all the other pubs & restaurants in the city, will be open for the party. Please enjoy yourselves responsibly.

TAKE ME HOME

This sweetheart needs a home. She is in custody of the Kingston Dog Warden and is closing in on the last of her days. If you'd like a lovable addition to the family and make one worthy dog very happy, contact the City of Kingston dog warden in the City Clerk's office soon.

TERRY'S BIRTHDAY BASH

Happy Birthday Terry Bernardo! Tuesday night's party was held at the Hillside Manor in Kingston and attended by friends and fellow politicos from across the county with a special appearance by State Senator John Bonacic. 

This is the camaraderie that I thought was long gone. People from all philosophies were mixin it up while eating birthday cake. The drinks didn't hurt either.