Montgomery County legislators again have voiced their support for a casino in the Town of Florida.
The Legislature’s Budget and Finance Committee, comprised of all nine legislators, unanimously expressed support for a resolution Tuesday stating the county’s support for the location and operation of a casino on a site near Exit 27 of the New York State Thruway. Since Tuesday’s session was a committee meeting and not a meeting of the Legislature, the measure will be placed on the agenda for the June 24 meeting of the full Legislature.
Voters statewide approved a referendum in November 2013 calling for the development of seven casinos in the state. The County Legislature, the Amsterdam Common Council and the Florida Town Board all voted in February to support the idea of a casino in the county. Amsterdam and Florida also passed second resolutions in the support of the location earlier in the week.
District 6 Legislator John M. Duchessi said Tuesday he has attended several meetings and public hearings on the casino issue, and he believes support for building it here is very strong.
District 9 Legislator Alex Kuchis said the site in the Town of Florida is the best one in the region.
“[The] Schenectady and Rensselaer [county sites] are both on a flood plain,” Kuchis said.”East Greenbush is opposed to it, and Howe Caverns hasn’t designated a developer. Amsterdam is the most favorable site.”
