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http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/nat...franchise.aspx
Spitzer’s State of New York address does not mention franchise
by Paul Post

… He might not have wanted to remind people about the state’s inability to reach an agreement, an obvious failure, while touting plans for future improvement.

“Racing is seldom mentioned in the State of the State Address,” said Bennett Liebman, head of Albany Law School’s Racing and Wagering Law Program. “If there was ever a time, I thought it was now. I can certainly understand not including it. A governor tries to set out big plans in his State of the State Address.

“I’m not sure how much you gain from that by including racing. It’s hard to say anything.”

… That leaves politicians with less than two weeks to reach a final agreement. The 2008 Legislative session begins Monday. The Assembly, Senate, and governor must all agree on the franchise plan.

Possibly, Spitzer avoided racing in order to strike a more conciliatory tone with his chief political rival, Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno (R-Brunswick), who was absent from Wednesday’s speech. Bruno's wife, Bobbie, died Monday following a lengthy illness.

… Staff for all three leaders negotiated through last weekend, but the two days preceding Wednesday’s speech were extremely quiet.

… Scott Reif, a Bruno spokesman, said that racing negotiations are expected to resume now that Spitzer’s State of the State Address is over.

… Bruno has called for creation of a new public authority with greater cooperation between NYRA and Off Track Betting, and during his address Spitzer mentioned possibly privatizing a portion of New York State Lottery, which could mean a consolidated wagering platform for several types of gaming.