O'Mara criticizes decisions on casinos, fracking (UPDATED, December 18)

Elmira, N.Y., December 17—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) released the following statement on today’s decision by the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board to not locate one of New York’s three new Upstate casino resorts at Tioga Downs Casino and Raceway in Nichols:

"Today’s decision deals yet another bad hand to the Southern Tier.  Combined with Governor Cuomo delivering a ban on fracking, it has not been a good day for the region.  I strongly believed Jeff Gural and everyone at Tioga Downs put forth the most clear-cut proposal in keeping with the commission’s stated goals to locate these casinos where they are most needed.  The Southern Tier economy is reeling.  A new and expanded Tioga Downs would have bolstered one of the state’s weakest local economies, preserved important livelihoods for hundreds of workers, created new jobs, and generated badly needed revenue to provide additional support for education and local governments to help ease the burden on local property taxpayers.”

O’Mara also issued the following statement to a decision by the Cuomo administration earlier today to prohibit the development of the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry in the Southern Tier and statewide:

“Today's decision by the Cuomo administration to say no to high-volume hydrofracking in the Marcellus Shale eviscerates the hope of so many Southern Tier farmers, landowners, businesses and potential jobs in the natural gas industry.  As the United States stands on the cusp of energy independence, Governor Cuomo today said no.  Governor Cuomo says no to a source for low-cost and cleaner electrical generation which is critical to our state economy as a whole.  Governor Cuomo's decision tells 35 other states and the federal government that they are wrong.  This country was built on exploration and innovation but Governor Cuomo today closed the door on both for us here in the Southern Tier and New York State by saying no to shale gas exploration. New York is once again last."

[UDPATED, December 18: Read more on yesterday's decisions in The Corning Leader and Hornell Evening Tribune articles attached below, and here, here, and here]