Nassau Democrats favored casino, until a judge nullified the lease they approved

Nassau Democrats have been chortling behind the scenes after a state judge threw out the county's 99-year lease with Las Vegas Sands to develop a $5 billion entertainment center/casino/resort at the outdated and always financially failing Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale.

Yes, Republican County Executive Bruce Blakeman, supported by all 12 Republican members of the Nassau County legislature, pushed hard for the casino project, which is estimated to bring in millions of dollars in revenues to the county and surrounding communities.

Yes, it's satisfying when political rivals fall on their face.

But Democrats are forgetting most all of them voted for the casino project.

Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) recused himself because his wife works at one of the businesses impacted by the HUB development.

That left six of the seven Nassau Democrats to cast votes on the project.

Only Legis. Delia DeRiggi-Whitton voted no. 

But her negative vote was not prompted by the reasons that Acting Supreme Court Justice Sirika Kapoor cited when she nullifed the lease last week.

Kapoor, a Hostra University Law School graduate said in ruling in favor of Hofstra's challenge to the deal, said the county did not follow open meetings law nor environmental review requirements when processing and approving the lease transfer.

(The Appellate Division stayed Kapoor's decision as soon as the county appealed. Municipalities are automatically entitled to a stay when they appeal, according to former Republican County Attorney John Ciampoli).

DeRiggi-Whitton cited moral and ethical concerns about a casino on the 72-acre Coliseum property when voting. She also objected to the county executive being the sole decider on future issues involving the Coliseum without consultation with the Legislature.

Here is an edited summary of what she said on May 22 when she voted, "No."

Delia DeRiggi-Whitton of Glen Cove: "I'm at the point in my life where I'm going to do what I think is right and what I think my constituents think is best. Number one, even if I loved the idea of a casino, the fact that we are actually within one out of ten locations at this point that are being considered, I mean, all right, let's say what kind of gamble is that? Could we win? Yeah, but we could also lose. So if we lose this idea, this lease, this...whole project ...does not come back to this branch of government.. And I'm sorry, but I cannot begin to support an idea that excludes a portion of our government....

"I'd love for my kids to stay here. But, to work in a casino, that's not what my dream is for them. I would like for them to work either in a tech or my girls are in health.

"They're (the Sands) going to make a lot of money, $2 billion a year. And where is that coming from? And when you read about addiction and you read about gambling, they call it a poor man's tax because it's usually those that really can't afford to do it that go and hope for that dream and hope to change their life. And  again, is it going on all over? Yes, it's legal now, but not everything that's legal is good for you.

"The bottom line is I struggled with this decision, but I cannot vote for a casino."

The other five Democrats had their own reasons (again, edited to summarize their comments)

Legis. Siela Bynoe of Westbury: "I've been here since 2014, and this is really been one of the hardest decisions....And I'll tell you, as a fiduciary entrusted with overseeing and safeguarding Nassau County's fiscal future, I was tasked with carefully considering the tax revenue, the economic development and the job creation opportunities presented by Sands Corp's proposal for a resort at Nassau Hub. The job creation especially is vital to the economically disadvantaged communities that I serve as a legislator. As a community advocate, I researched, vetted and deliberated upon the heartfelt concerns that were expressed by the community regarding the impacts of public safety, traffic and behavioral health issues.

"When it became abundantly clear to me in the last committee meeting that this was going to pass with or without my vote, I became equipped with those facts. And the charge before me was to weigh and balance the more laudable elements of the Las Vegas proposal against the legitimate concerns of the community.

"To ensure that the needs of the Uniondale and Hempstead communities were met, and upon a painstaking review of some of the factors and the needs of that community, I was happy to hear that Sands Corp incorporated a $25 Million benefit to the communities to bolster the services and the community's needs.

"It is upon all of those things in consideration that I reached the decision to vote in favor of this lease transfer."

Legis. Carrie Solages of Lawrence: "This presents the single opportunity for many young people -- I think I'm the second youngest person here on this Body -- to stay here in Nassau County. I'm tired of so many of my friends, so many people I went to school with who are moving to other counties with suburban casinos. I visited suburban casinos in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and I've spoken to many young people in our communities, and they all say it is also a no brainer. Even if the Sands Corporation does not succeed in getting the license, Plan B is better than what we have now. It is a positive decision for Nassau County."

Legis. Debra Mule of Freeport, " I truly do believe, as some of my colleagues have stated, that this is one of the most consequential decisions that we will ever make as a legislator. And honestly, I changed my mind and I went back and forth several times throughout the last month or two. 

"I spoke with all kinds of people. I spoke with my constituents. I spoke with some some of the "Say not to Casino" people. I spoke to labor groups. And certainly listened to all of the public comment.

"What kind of changed things for me is when...I went down to Bethlehem and I got to see what Bethlehem looks like after Sands came in and developed the casino there. I was blown away. It's a beautiful, beautiful community that was really on the verge of bad things because the steel industry had had died out. It had a gorgeous downtown. I went and toured through the area where Lehigh University was, which I would say is comparable to Hofstra University and saw how they are expanding and the area looked great. 

"I went to the casino. I'm not a gambler, but I took a walk around. There was no traffic, even though they have so many people coming to the casino. So I just have to say that the proof was was right there in front of me....

"Yes, gambling is problematic, but by voting yes on this is not going to change whether gambling happens.... The the license is going to happen.It's just going to happen someplace else. And then we won't get any of those benefits, both in terms of jobs, in terms of revenues.

"The kids. Yep, the kids are gambling, but it's on their phones. They won't be allowed to go into the casinos because there's an age requirement.

"So for all of those reasons, I am a yes vote."

Legis. Arnie Drucker of Plainview: "There is no question that the concerns expressed by many of our residents, either here in this Chamber, by telephone calls to our offices or by email, should never be disregarded or even minimized. But we as legislators have a dual obligation. One is to be the voice and advocate for what the majority of our constituents want or need. And second, to ensure and provide the necessary oversight of the Executive Branch to safeguard our finances and clear a path for economic prosperity in the years to come.

"Today, we are being asked to vote on only one factual and clear scenario, and that is the assignment of the current lease that is in its present form unfavorable to this county. The prospects presented by Las Vegas Sands provides a guaranteed framework that will yield immediate economic benefit to our county as well as providing a roadmap and pathway toward an enduring and transformative future. This lease provides for that whether the Sands is awarded a gaming license or not. 

"This does not mean that I didn't force myself to imagine what the Hub would look like with the casino and entertainment and hospitality resort on its grounds. But after considering the mind boggling investment that Sands proposes to make, should they be awarded the license, including the safeguards that will be implemented to ensure safety and security for the patrons, mitigating resulting traffic and density issues and providing economic benefits to the surrounding communities the deleterious effects associated with the casino operation is,in my opinion, speculative. What is not speculative but instead guaranteed, is the revenue to the County and its taxpayers of $25-50 million a year. Oh, and 8500 permanent union labor jobs sustaining the workforce in Nassau County for generations. 

"This opportunity cannot and should not be forsaken or squandered if I am to uphold the duties of my office for which I was elected. So I will be casting my vote in the affirmative."

Legis. Josh Lafazan of Woodbury: When I make a decision on an issue, I speak on behalf of three things: I speak on behalf of my constituents; I speak on behalf of my generation; and I speak on behalf of my own beliefs.

"Regarding my constituents, the vast majority reached out to my office to express their support on this issue. They want the line held on their property taxes. They want the jobs for their kids and their grandkids, and they want a new dynamic entertainment destination, not in New York City, but they want it right here in Nassau. This lease transfer will do all of this and more. 

"Regarding my generation, this project is truly existential. I'm 29 years old, and for a decade I've been sounding the alarm about my friends and my classmates moving away, and it's never been rocket science why. They want good jobs and economic opportunity, they want workforce housing, and they want fun things to do. This lease transfer will do all of this and more.

"Lastly, regarding my own beliefs on an academic basis, I do believe that the case Las Vegas made has been sound and pragmatic. The investment in infrastructure improvements and workforce developments will have an economic multiplier effect that is game changing. Their plans to combat issues regarding mental health, behavioral health and gambling addiction are excellent. The massive payments that are guaranteed to Nassau will help us freeze taxes and, more importantly, pay down our debt. And as you heard from our labor leaders...when it comes to having a once in a generation impact on creating thousands of permanent, good paying jobs, this lease transfer will do all of this and more.

'"And that is why this plan is not perfect, but it must get done. Because in 2011 I sat in Nassau Coliseum as an intern when voters voted down the referendum on a new stadium. I promised myself that if I ever had a seat at the table, I would make sure I did everything I could to get ...something done. Twelve years later, I'm ready to get something done and it starts tonight."