Two Republican state lawmakers from Niagara County are pushing to restore casino funding for local organizations that previously relied on revenue guaranteed under a now-expired state agreement.
Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) and Assemblyman Angelo Morinello (R-Niagara Falls) pushed for a revised version of the expired gaming revenue-sharing deal, known as “99-H,” at a press conference at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center on Friday, the Niagara Gazette reported.
The agreement, which ended with the state’s gaming compact with the Seneca Nation on Dec. 31, 2023, required Niagara Falls to share part of its casino revenue with the city’s hospital, school district, housing authority, underground railroad interpretive center, Mount St. Mary’s Neighborhood Health Center, and Destination Niagara, the county’s tourism agency.
Without a new deal, these organizations face losing what Ortt and Morinello called “essential” funding that has supported jobs, services, and community projects. “If we weren’t here talking about this, those great things would still be going on, but there would be less funding and resources to do so,” Ortt said.
The expired compact required the Seneca Nation to give 25% of slot revenue from its three casinos, namely Seneca Niagara, Buffalo Creek, and Seneca Allegany, to the state, which then distributed a portion to host cities like Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Salamanca.
Seneca leaders want to lower that percentage in a new deal and negotiations are stalled. Ortt and Morinello said a new gaming compact is necessary before any revenue-sharing deal takes effect but they want to keep pressure on state leaders.
Ortt also raised the issue with New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “I think it is important that we make sure this is top of mind and that we get something done,” he said.
The new 99-H proposal would let Niagara Falls keep 80% of its casino funds for economic development, public safety, and infrastructure. The remaining 20% would be split among Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and the school district, which would each receive 5.5% (up to $750,000); Destination Niagara, which would get 7% (up to $1 million); the Underground Railroad Heritage Commission, which would receive at least 1% ($200,000 minimum); and the Falls Housing Authority and Mount St. Mary’s Neighborhood Health Center, which would each receive $50,000.
Under the prior agreement, Memorial Medical Center received up to $750,000 annually, funding key projects such as inpatient behavioral health centers and cardiac care units. CEO Joe Ruffolo said that stable funding would be crucial to the hospital’s $58 million long-term improvement plan, including demolishing its deteriorating parking ramp.
“The renewal of 99-H and the continued funding for the hospital are extremely important if we are able to hit all of those projects on the timeline we have set forward,” he said.
Ortt’s amended 99-H legislation has passed the state Senate and is awaiting consideration in the Assembly. Since it applies only to Niagara Falls, it does not require sponsorship from a Democratic lawmaker in Albany, but passage depends on support from the Democratic majority.
Hochul previously gave Niagara Falls a $7.6 million advance on casino funds last year, but the city did not share it with 99-H organizations.
Falls Democratic Mayor Robert Restaino, who did not attend the press conference, said he won’t commit to revenue-sharing until a new gaming compact is set, citing concerns about the lack of understanding of what the total revenue share for the state might be under any new compact.
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes has not backed renewing 99-H, saying the city should decide how to use its casino funds once a new compact is in place.
Despite opposition, Morinello is confident he can get enough Democratic votes. “If this were to get to that point, I can assure you that I have enough working relationships across the aisle that we can get it across the finish line,” he said.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/03/25/99350-new-york-niagara-county-lawmakers-push-to-restore-casino-funds-for-local-organizations
