Democrats blame GOP for delaying video slots at Aqueduct

ALBANY — Senate Democrats today blamed the chamber’s Republican majority for delaying installation of video slot machines at Aqueduct Race Track, a move they said cost the state revenue needed to help stem deepening deficits.

Republican “foot-dragging has already cost the state $13 million ... that will never be recaptured,” said Senate Democratic leader Malcolm Smith.

Bringing in 4,500 video slot machines to spin off a projected $300 million annually to the state and racing industry has been in the works since the Legislature approved the idea to boost revenue after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Two weeks ago, Democratic Gov. David Paterson and the Assembly’s Democratic majority chose Buffalo-based Delaware North Cos. for the project. But the Senate Republicans refused to go along, saying the company’s plans for improvements and jobs near the track in Queens weren’t as clear as its competitors.

Sen. Serphin Maltese, a Republican who represents the district around the track, insisted on details of spin-off commerce to help the community before his colleagues would support Delaware North.

Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos of Long Island agreed Wednesday to back the deal and its promise of 1,000 jobs after meeting with the company to hear details of its economic development plan. Delaware North said it will build hotel, retail, conference and entertainment facilities at the state-owned track.

The deal will provide $370 million upfront to the state, the most promised by the competitors, as the state faces a deficit Paterson estimates at $2 billion.

“Better late than never,” said Smith, the Democratic leader, in a prepared statement. “Senator Skelos and his Republican colleagues at last saw the wisdom of awarding Buffalo-based Delaware North, a crucial development project for Queens.”

There was no immediate response from the Senate Republicans.

A Republican senator in a close race, Maltese announced the GOP’s changed position during a televised debate Wednesday.

The 15th Senate District features one of the closest races in the state as Democrats try to erase the Republicans’ one-vote majority in the Senate. Maltese is being challenged by Joe Addabbo, a New York City councilman, for the seat he’s held since 1988. Paterson endorsed Addaboo a day before he announced the Aqueduct deal the Republicans then refused to join.