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http://www.newsday.com/news/local/na...,4829051.story
VLTs no gamble, Jacobs says
Nassau legislator wants NY Assembly's Sheldon Silver to think twice about opposition to Belmont machines
BY BART JONES

… Silver last week used his strongest language yet to state his opposition to VLTs at the track, prompting Jacobs - a fellow Democrat - to send him a letter.

"Nassau County would benefit greatly from this major source of employment, revenue and entertainment, not only in the immediate surrounding area, but for the entire county," Jacobs said.

… "It makes no sense that I can see to single out Belmont and not install VLTs," she said. "Instead of reinvigorating a shrinking economy, expanding a tax base, and providing funds for the local school system, we are watching our communities being passed over."

VLTs are potential pots of gold. The 4,500 proposed for Aqueduct are expected to produce up to $500 million a year in revenue. Most of that money is earmarked for education.

Jacobs joined other Nassau politicians including County Executive Thomas Suozzi, state Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington) and state Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) who support VLTs at Belmont. So do Gov. Eliot Spitzer and state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, who are at odds with one another on most issues.

… With NYRA granted an extension to continue operating the tracks until Jan. 23, officials continued negotiating last weekend and yesterday.

Wouldn’t Nassau County local schools benefit from the revenue already earmarked for education?