Financial help is on the way for the City of Niagara Falls. During a visit to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters the city is suffering financially due, in part, to the loss of revenue from a compact with the Seneca Nation of Indians.
"There's a dispute and the Senecas have refused to pay. That's created a hardship for Niagara Falls," Cuomo said.
The Senecas, Cuomo says, are disputing the terms of the casino compact. He says the state is in arbitration with the tribe.
"The state is going to advance $12.3 million to the city of Niagara Falls to help with that shortfall. We believe the arbitration will be concluded towards the end of this year. We're now in that process," Cuomo said.
In a written response, Seneca Nation President Todd Gates said, "Per the Compact, the Seneca Nation completed its payment obligation 18 months ago. Governor Cuomo and Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster can try to ignore and talk around that fact all they like, but Gates says, the Compact is very clear."
