ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo's tough talk about Indian casinos breaks with the past practice of governors treading carefully with tribes sharply protective of their sovereign rights.
Cuomo's explanation is simple: Money disputes between the state and the tribes have simmered for years. Now he is proposing three casinos in yet-to-be disclosed locations in upstate New York. And he wants voters to decide on an amendment to the state constitution this year that would allow full casinos off of Indian land.
It's time to make decisions.
"I would imagine he's moving down his agenda and he needs some more money, maybe this is a good time to take it on," said Jeffrey Stonecash, who teaches political science at Syracuse University's Maxwell School. "I would imagine most of the people in the state are sympathetic to the state squeezing the Indian nations."