Earlier this month, Vernon Downs Chairman Jeff Gural said that the track would close if a particular tax-relief bill was not passed. Shortly before 11:30 p.m. last night (Wednesday, June 21), lawmakers in New York State adjourned and the piece of legislation was not passed.
A brief article on the situation explains that the bill passed the State Senate, but did not pass the Assembly.
Gural had relayed optimism on the subject earlier this month, as he stated, "It appears that the legislation is tied up in larger Albany negotiations, but we are hopeful that at the end of the day the Assembly will join the Senate in passing legislation that will help Vernon Downs keep its doors open. We continue to believe that the people in Albany who have control will recognize our situation and provide the support we need to continue our investment in this region. However, every day that we remain open, we simply lose more money and are forced to begin the process of closing Vernon Downs.”
It has also been reported that the Assembly had passed another tax-relief bill during the Wednesday session, but that it was not deemed acceptable to the owners of the track.
The article, by the Observer-Dispatch, also quoted Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi as saying that he will “absolutely continue to work to pass legislation to keep Vernon Downs open when the Legislature returns to session in the fall to finish other outstanding issues.”
(With files from cnyhomepage.com and the Observer-Dispatch)