Why Bruce Blakeman is starting to cast doubt

With assistance from Shawn Ness

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman expressed concerns that the integrity of the state’s downstate casino bidding process could be compromised. He is questioning whether the process for awarding the three lucrative casino licenses is fair and has hinted that Nassau County should receive the license due to its ideal location.

Blakeman’s doubts about the fairness of the process have raised eyebrows, especially regarding a proposed massive casino on Long Island. There are concerns that Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul’s ties to GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson, a major owner of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, could influence the outcome.

The bidding process for casinos in various locations, including Long Island and the Bronx, is facing challenges and scrutiny. While Blakeman is advocating for a $5 billion investment in Nassau County, plans for a casino at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum have hit roadblocks.

In a separate incident, Assemblymember Scott Bendett faced ethics action for making inappropriate statements related to religion and national origin. The Assembly’s Ethics Committee ordered him to undergo sensitivity training, marking only the second such action against a sitting member in recent years.

State lawmakers are also working to expand New York’s law against revenge porn, with a proposed bill aiming to criminalize the threat of disseminating intimate images and videos without consent. State Sen. Monica Martinez is leading the effort to strengthen protections for victims of revenge porn.

— Nick Reisman

ACTION ON HEALTH ACT: The state Democratic Committee at this week’s convention approved a resolution endorsing the “goals” of the New York Health Act. The bill aims to create a single-payer health care plan for universal coverage in the state. The resolution also urged the governor and Legislature to work towards legislative solutions for full health care coverage for all New Yorkers. While symbolic, supporters hope this will boost momentum for the New York Health Act, which has faced challenges in gaining widespread support among Democrats due to opposition from public-sector unions.

The bill was reintroduced in July 2023 by Health Committee Chairs Assemblymember Amy Paulin and state Sen. Gustavo Rivera. Melanie D’Arrigo, executive director of the Campaign for New York Health, emphasized the importance of the resolution in unifying the Democratic party towards passing the New York Health Act.

State Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs acknowledged the complexity of the issue, especially with opposition from key constituencies like labor. However, there was clearer agreement on other resolutions at the state convention, including one condemning antisemitism in the aftermath of pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The unanimous approval of these resolutions reflects where Democrats stand on these issues.

— Maya Kaufman and Nick Reisman

— HOCHUL’S BIG BUFFALO BILLS PROBLEM: An ethics watchdog agency has subpoenaed the Empire State Development for records related to the use of the state-owned “I Love New York” suite at the Buffalo Bills’ stadium, which has been used by top state lawmakers.

— CALL IT A COMEBACK: The Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of the NRA, highlighting a shift even among Democratic justices, like Sonia Sotomayor, who typically sided against the NRA.

— TRUMP’S TESTIMONY: Donald Trump expressed interest in testifying during his hush money trial, but ultimately did not want to risk potential perjury charges.

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