Bloomberg Casts Doubt On OTB Deal

Just when it looked like a done deal. Just hours after the big news conference held by Governor Patterson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Mayor Bloomberg vowed to continue with the closing of the city's OTB branches come Sunday night. Bloomberg said that "substantial legal and economic issues" had yet to be resolved, leaving the city "with no choice but to move forward with our city's OTB parlors on Sunday".
This smells like yet another power struggle between the Mayor and Albany. According to my sources at City Hall, the OTB issue is turning into the political version of a game of chicken with Bloomberg holding out for a plan that actually benefits the city's coffers.
It should prove to be an interesting weekend.
Resolution In OTB Dispute Fades Away (NY Times)
NYC Mayor Vows To Shut OTB Despite Governor's Plan (Reuters)
Patterson And Bloomberg Differ On OTB's Future (Newsday)

Comments

Popular Posts