Gov. Cathy Hochul insisted Thursday that she will not cooperate with Mets owner Steve Cohen's bid for a coveted New York City casino license. She plans to introduce legislation that would benefit billionaires, officials told The Post.
“There are shady people trying to manipulate society. [casino bidding] They act in their own interests and are willing to lie. “We had no intention of putting this into the executive budget,” the governor told reporters when asked if he planned to step up to bat for Cohen, one of his biggest donors.
Mr. Hochul's denial comes after The Post reported Wednesday that he introduced legislation in the 2025 state budget that would expand the use of city parkland as gambling complexes and allow Mr. Cohen to bid on casino licenses. This was carried out after it was reported that it was planned to be carried out.
When asked for comment on the Post article earlier this week, a spokesperson for Hochul declined to say whether he intended to add any new provisions to the next budget.
“Governor Hochul will announce the agenda for his State of the State address in January,” a representative told the Post.
After hearing that Gov. Hochul might address Cohen's land-use issue in the state budget, the governor faced immediate backlash from lawmakers and the $8 billion casino by Cohen and Hard Rock near Citi Field in Queens. He said it appears he is supporting the plan.
“It's a bad precedent,” said state Senate Horse Racing and Gaming Committee Chairman Joe Addabbo (D-Queens) when he first heard of Hochul's plan to intervene.
“It sets a dangerous precedent for the governor to get involved and favor one bidder over others.”
A spokesman for Mr. Cohen dismissed accusations that Mr. Hochul was putting his thumb on the scale to help the Mets owner.
“The Licensing Act does not prejudge the game approval process in any way, nor does it guarantee that the project will move forward,” the spokesperson said.
“This is just the first step necessary to develop a strategic vision to transform Citi Field’s 50 acres of asphalt. Metropolitan Park will follow the same process as all other bids – ULURP [Uniform Land Use Review Procedure]Community Advisory Board, Gaming Facility Location Board review, and final New York State Gaming Commission approval. ”
Cohen and his wife, Alexandra, donated a combined $136,700 to Hochul's campaign in 2021, according to state records.
According to Gothamist, the hedge fund mogul is also the biggest donor to the New York State Democratic Committee, which is trying to win a House majority in the upcoming election, from January 1, 2023 to July 11, 2024. To date, they have donated $235,000.
The State Gaming Commission plans to issue up to three full-scale casino licenses in the New York City area next year.
Mr. Hochul's apparent change of plans put Mr. Cohen's bid in jeopardy.
He pushed a bill in the state Senate that would give Hard Rock the authority to use city property around Citi Field to build a casino and entertainment complex, over the objections of local state Sen. Jessica Ramos. It is requested that it be submitted and approved. .
Mr. Cohen's bid is invalid and cannot even move forward without alienation laws that require the park to be used for non-park purposes.
Traditionally, lawmakers defer to local representatives when it comes to controversial projects in their districts, but it is highly unlikely that the Senate would pass an alienation bill over Mr. Ramos's objections.
For example, Amazon withdrew its plans to build an East Coast headquarters in Long Island City in 2019, largely due to opposition from Queens state Sen. Michael Gianaris, the deputy majority leader who represents the region. Ta.
