A state board that oversees the New York Racing Association, whose lease to run Aqueduct in South Ozone Park and two other tracks expires at the end of the year, voted Monday to step in and negotiate with NYRA if a deal cannot be reached among state leaders by Dec. 31.
Members of the Non-Profit Racing Association Oversight Board, who were appointed by former Gov. George Pataki, said in a resolution that "it appears possible that legislation necessary to award a franchise to operate" the tracks on Jan. 1 "may not be enacted into law by that date."
Gov. Eliot Spitzer recommended that NYRA continue to operate the tracks at Aqueduct, Belmont Park in Elmont, L.I. and Saratoga Race Course, although state leaders were yet to agree on his proposal.
Three other entities Ð Capital Play, Excelsior Racing and Empire Racing Associates Ð are bidders for the franchise.
If Spitzer, state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Saratoga Springs) cannot agree on which entity will operate the tracks by the end of the year, the oversight board's chairwoman, Carole Stone, has the authority to pursue an agreement with NYRA on its own. Such an agreement would last until state leaders can make a decision on the franchise.
According to the resolution, Stone can negotiate with either of the other three bidders for the franchise if NYRA declines to accept an agreement.
State Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach) said the Assembly was "in heavy negotiations" with Spitzer and the Senate on a resolution to the franchise issue.
"I think if all goes well, there could be a handshake deal by the end of the year," Pheffer said, noting that she was "not going to get too excited" about the oversight board's resolution because it may be a moot point.
Bruno spokesman Scott Reif said the senator has been calling on Spitzer to hold meetings with state leaders to come up with a franchise agreement, but the governor has not responded.
"We continue to urge the governor to call a public leaders' meeting and to come to a resolution on this issue," Reif said.
He said that senior-level staffers with the governor and senate majority have been discussing horse racing behind closed doors.
"We're hopeful that we will get a framework done by the end of the year," he said.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
Gov. Eliot Spitzer recommended that NYRA continue to operate the tracks at Aqueduct, Belmont Park in Elmont, L.I. and Saratoga Race Course, although state leaders were yet to agree on his proposal.
Three other entities Ð Capital Play, Excelsior Racing and Empire Racing Associates Ð are bidders for the franchise.
If Spitzer, state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Saratoga Springs) cannot agree on which entity will operate the tracks by the end of the year, the oversight board's chairwoman, Carole Stone, has the authority to pursue an agreement with NYRA on its own. Such an agreement would last until state leaders can make a decision on the franchise.
According to the resolution, Stone can negotiate with either of the other three bidders for the franchise if NYRA declines to accept an agreement.
State Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach) said the Assembly was "in heavy negotiations" with Spitzer and the Senate on a resolution to the franchise issue.
"I think if all goes well, there could be a handshake deal by the end of the year," Pheffer said, noting that she was "not going to get too excited" about the oversight board's resolution because it may be a moot point.
Bruno spokesman Scott Reif said the senator has been calling on Spitzer to hold meetings with state leaders to come up with a franchise agreement, but the governor has not responded.
"We continue to urge the governor to call a public leaders' meeting and to come to a resolution on this issue," Reif said.
He said that senior-level staffers with the governor and senate majority have been discussing horse racing behind closed doors.
"We're hopeful that we will get a framework done by the end of the year," he said.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
