Another day, another press release from the Finance department. This time, city officials are all but jubilant that the city's portion of VLT money is secure, at least for this year. Well, wouldn't you be jubilant if you'd just secured 10 percent of your annual budget? Of course you would be.

The interesting question that I've been thinking about today is much of a factor the Spitzer scandal of two weeks ago was in our leader's ability to secure the money. Had the Spitzer scandal not come to light, would Eliot have stayed to fight Bruno for the right to re-appropriate that money? Would he have won?

I don't think there can be any question that David Patterson is doing almost everything he can to strike a conciliatory tone while he gets his footing in office, possibly including making concessions to local governments like ours. Was all of this just a happy coincidence for the Spa city? You decide.

Have a great weekend, I'm out.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY, Thursday, March 27, 2008
CONTACT: Scott T. Johnson 518-587-3550 ext. 520 or 860-9984

CITY COUNCIL DELEGATION VISITS STATE LEADERS ON LOBBY DAY
VLT Funding Top Agenda, City Center Expansion

A delegation of Saratoga Springs City Council members, Deputies and Chiefs descended on Albany today for the 2008 Lobby Day. Mayor Scott T. Johnson, Commissioner Ronald Kim, Deputy Commissioners Kate Jarosh and Eileen Finneran, and the Police and Fire Chiefs attended the meetings.

Two issues were on the table: continuation of VLT funding and continued funding for the City Center expansion.

“Our main goal was to illustrate and reiterate our needs as a community,” Mayor Johnson said. “Though both houses have legislation supporting the VLT funding to host municipalities, the reality is the budget is not final yet. Anything can happen when the funds are so tight. We visited with the leaders to let them know what this small portion of the total machine revenue means to our City.”

The New York State Senate passed a resolution and the New York State Assembly a bill, supporting host municipalities claim of a share of 3 ½% of the "estimated net machine income" generated by a video lottery gaming facility located within their borders. The host municipality receives 75% of this distribution and the host-county receives 25%. Earlier this week Commissioner of Finance Ken Ivins publicly thanked both houses for their support.

“Though I was unable to attend, I know the delegation let the State leaders know just how vital this is to our City.” Commissioner Ivins said. “The state aid from the VLT revenue is 10% of the City’s operating budget. The reality is that hosting a VLT facility puts incredible stress on infrastructure, public safety, and the community as a whole.”

“It was a productive day,” Deputy Commissioner Jarosh said. “Budgets are tight all around, but hosting a facility puts a strain on us. We are just looking to keep the current level of aid secure.”

The current $3.8 million received by the City helps ‘defray local costs associated with a video lottery gaming facility, or minimize or reduce real property taxes,’ as required by the State Finance Law.

The second half of funding for the City Center expansion has been on the table since 2007. Events and conferences at the Center bring much needed revenue to the City. The expansion means bigger events and conferences to bring more revenue into Saratoga Springs and remain competitive in the convention business. According to meetings today, this funding is expected to be in the State’s Capital Construction budget for 2008-09.

“Our City works hard to bring people here for meetings in hopes they will return for pleasure,” Mayor Johnson continued. “With the expansion of our City Center, we will be on the same playing field to be the winning bid to host the bigger conferences as cities known for hosting large events. This project is needed to ensure our retail businesses and downtown remain a vital part of our economy.”

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