A6781B

The New York State Senate passed Assembly Bill 6781B, authorizing the discontinuance of parkland in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, on a 54-5 vote. The measure clears a key procedural hurdle for a proposed casino development by investor Steve Cohen in the Corona and East Elmhurst neighborhoods. Five senators voted against the bill: Addabbo, Brisport, Cleare, Krueger, and Ramos. Sen. Ramos, whose district includes the affected area, delivered an extended explanation of her opposition, citing concerns about the casino's impact on working-class communities, Cohen's regulatory history including a major insider trading fine, and what she characterized as an engineered community engagement process. Sen. Krueger also opposed the measure, arguing that government-sponsored gambling is not genuine economic development and that casino profits primarily come from neighborhood residents' disposable income rather than creating new economic opportunity. The bill takes effect immediately.