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Cuomo says talks with Canadian officials continue

Peace Bridge, Buffalo, NY
WBFO News file photo
Peace Bridge, Buffalo, NY

Governor Andrew Cuomo is pushing for major changes at the Peace Bridge Authority, but won't commit to signing a bill to take over the New York side of the bridge.

Under a bill, which might eventually wind up on his desk, the state would take over on this side of the Niagara River.

There are a lot of lawyers on both sides of the river who say a state can't override an international treaty and Washington has been very quiet on the border fight.

When asked about the bill, the governor compared it to the acrimonious fight with the Seneca Nation about casinos which was eventually worked out.

Cuomo says something has to be done, but wouldn't commit to signing the bill into law.

"This about making the future better than the past. This is about stopping the decline of Western New York. The way we did that with signing this agreement with the Senecas, we want to do it with the Peace Bridge.  And, the Peace Bridge has been a promise that has not been fulfilled for many, many years," said Cuomo.

Canadians connected with the bridge say nothing is going to get done while the current fight continues.  

 

Mike Desmond is one of Western New York’s most experienced reporters, having spent nearly a half-century covering the region for newspapers, television stations and public radio. He has been with WBFO and its predecessor, WNED-AM, since 1988. As a reporter for WBFO, he has covered literally thousands of stories involving education, science, business, the environment and many other issues. Mike has been a long-time theater reviewer for a variety of publications and was formerly a part-time reporter for The New York Times.