Governor Hochul’s Role in NYC Casino Licensing Raises Eyebrows

New York City skyline at dusk with skyscrapers.

The impartiality of Governor Kathy Hochul is under intense scrutiny over the New York City casino licensing process, especially regarding Steve Cohen’s bid.

At a Glance

  • Gov. Hochul denies plans to aid Steve Cohen in the NYC casino license bid.
  • Allegations involved introducing legislation in the 2025 state budget for Cohen’s benefit.
  • The NYC area has up to three casino licenses available next year.
  • State Senate approval for Cohen’s bid is hampered by local opposition.
  • Significant financial contributions from Cohen to Hochul cause suspicion.

Governor Hochul’s Denial and Legislative Claims

Governor Kathy Hochul firmly denied any intention to assist Mets owner Steve Cohen in securing a New York City casino license. Despite claims to the contrary, Hochul emphasized her non-partisan approach to the state’s casino licensing process. Reports had suggested she planned to propose legislation in the upcoming 2025 state budget that would benefit Cohen’s casino bid. Hochul refuted these allegations, maintaining that her decisions would not be influenced by external pressures from notable contributors.

The controversy centers around four casino licenses the New York State Gaming Commission will distribute next year in the New York City area. Cohen’s bid to erect a casino and entertainment complex near Citi Field in Queens has faced local opposition, notably from State Senator Jessica Ramos. Without the passage of alienation legislation, which allows the use of public parkland for non-park purposes, Cohen’s proposal cannot advance. State legislators often defer to local representatives in controversial projects, indicating challenging prospects for Senate approval.

Financial Contributions and Allegations of Partiality

Steve Cohen and his wife have been significant financial supporters of Hochul’s campaign, raising questions about potential biases in the governor’s role. In 2021, the Cohens contributed over $136,000 to Hochul and the Democratic Party, and from January 2023 to July 2024, Cohen emerged as the largest donor to the New York State Democratic Committee, donating $235,000. These contributions have added a layer of suspicion to the allegations of favoritism in the casino licensing process.

“Gov. Kathy Hochul insisted Thursday that she won’t aid Mets owner Steve Cohen’s bid for a coveted New York City casino license — after sources told The Post she intended to introduce legislation that would benefit the billionaire.”

The financial linkage raises ethical questions, casting doubt on Hochul’s ability to oversee a fair and unbiased licensing process. Cohen’s previous attempts to launch an $8 billion casino-entertainment complex near Citi Field failed partly due to insufficient local support for rezoning. Meanwhile, Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow stands out as a proponent of repurposing the land around Citi Field for the casino complex, highlighting divergent viewpoints among local leaders.

Political and Regulatory Challenges

In the broader context, this episode underscores significant political and regulatory challenges New York faces with major development projects. Local opposition, similar to what led Amazon to withdraw its Long Island City headquarters proposal in 2019, looms over such ventures. Legislators wary of ceding public land to private enterprise have opposed projects like Cohen’s casino in Queens. As casino license allocation commences, Hochul’s administration must navigate these complex dynamics.

“New York Governor Kathy Hochul denied a report that she plans to ease the way for billionaire Steve Cohen, one of her political donors, to build a casino and entertainment complex next to Citi Field in Queens.”

As the state progresses with casino licensing, it must address the challenges of public land use, community engagement, and maintaining a transparent decision-making process. The selection process claims impartiality with no preferences or favoritism towards any bidder. Nevertheless, Cohen’s significant political donations and active lobbying efforts present compelling challenges in ensuring an unbiased outcome.

Sources

1. Gov. Kathy Hochul now says she has ‘no intention’ to aid Steve Cohen’s troubled casino bid

2. Hochul Denies Report She’ll Help Steve Cohen’s NY Casino Bid

Previous articleFlorida Insurance Shockwaves: Hurricanes Shake Market Stability
Next articleKamala Harris Pushes Green Cards for Afghans, Sparking Security Debate