NY gov, legislative leaders talk casinos, jobs

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York residents could see huge resort casinos upstate and an influx of new employers lured by the promise of tax-free operations for a decade under several deals in the works in Albany.

Or not.

Such is the unpredictability of the late-session rush in the Capitol, where a series of closed-door negotiations with two to four leaders can change the state's future or spoil a six-month legislative session. The session is scheduled to end Thursday.

After Monday's series of private talks, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders revealed little.

An announcement of a deal, which could tie some or all of the major, disparate proposals together, could come as early as Monday night or Tuesday.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Manhattan Democrat, said late Monday afternoon that the lawmakers were "hopeful of closing it up tonight — everything."

Sen. Jeff Klein, leader of the Independent Democratic Conference, which shares control of the Senate with Republicans, said: "We agreed we want to be finished by Thursday."

Which means, in late-session Albany, quite possibly Friday or next week.

The search for an elusive deal before going home for much of the year could keep the Legislature in session that long.

Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos had no comment.

A Siena College poll released Monday showed that after the latest series of corruption arrests and sexual harassment scandals in politics, New Yorkers are soured even more than usual on the governor and Legislature. A session that ends with a bang could help them all as they prepare for re-election campaigns next year.

Among the issues being discussed are:

— Casinos. Cuomo proposes four Las Vegas-style casinos upstate to spur the long distressed economy and create jobs. On Monday, a Siena College poll showed withering support for Cuomo's proposal to authorize seven resort casinos statewide, outside Manhattan.

— Tax-free New York. Cuomo proposes to offer new employers who align with colleges the perk of no business, property or even income taxes for 10 years, with the hope that the employers won't move when their tax-free package ends. The Siena poll shows few New Yorkers know about the idea despite Cuomo's barnstorming of the proposal in recent weeks.

— Corruption. Cuomo proposes a package of bills to make it easier for district attorneys to prosecute corruption in Albany, following the latest string of arrests of lawmakers. By far, New Yorkers polled consider this their top priority, Siena said. Cuomo threatens to use the Moreland Act to create an investigative commission if the Legislature fails to enact systemic changes to address corruption.

— A new board to run the Long Island Power Authority to improve the response to power outages and to reduce some of the highest utility rates in the nation paid by Long Island residents.