Budget doesn't do enough for problem gamblers, critics say
By MATTHEW L. McKIBBEN
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's $137.2 billion budget proposal "falls alarmingly short" in providing help for New Yorkers with substance abuse and gambling problems, according to an assemblyman who has long been concerned with treating problem gamblers.
The governor's 2014-2015 Executive Budget allocates $579.4 million, the same funding as last year, for the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Steven Cymbrowitz, D-Brooklyn, chair of the Assembly's Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee, pointed out that the funding fails to properly address the increasing number of people becoming addicted to prescription drugs, which he says is straining the system and the need for more prevention and treatment programs for a state that looks to dramatically increase its gambling opportunities as early as next January.
According to Cuomo, new casinos could be operating in upstate New York by January 2015. This past November, New Yorkers passed a state constitutional amendment to allow the state to build a number of Las Vegas-style casinos and state officials can now award up to four casino licenses upstate. The governor will add 10 additional staff for the Gaming Commission to begin the process for selecting and regulating casino operators.
The total statewide fiscal impact of the new casinos, Video Lottery Terminals and Native American compacts is estimated to be $430 million annually, with approximately $192 million in local government assistance being provided to counties and host municipalities, according to the Executive Budget.
http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-01-27-86510.113122-Budget-doesnt-do-enough-for-problem-gamblers-critics-say.html