Nassau Community College Won't Seek Support for Sands Casino
Nassau Community College is employing a lobbying firm, but it's not trying to convince lawmakers to issue a gaming license to Las Vegas Sands at Nassau Hub.
According to records, the college hired Shenker Russo & Clark, LLP last year for $5,000 a month and recently renewed the contract. The original agreement tasked the Albany-based law firm with lobbying for the school on education, funding, and casino gaming.
The contract specifies that Shenker Russo & Clark should concentrate its efforts on the state budget and any general legislation that impacts the institution. This is intended to enhance the educational experience for students and the college community, according to the agreement.
Las Vegas Sands, the biggest gaming company in terms of market capitalization, aims to construct a $6 billion casino resort in Uniondale near Nassau Coliseum. Although the endeavor has sparked controversy, the Sands bid is considered one of the most viable in the downstate casino competition.
Nassau Community College Taking a Different Tack than Hofstra
In a conversation with Newsday, Jerry Kornbluth, a representative of the college, asserted that the institution has not enlisted Shenker Russo & Clark to lobby for the casino project. He added that it's likely Sands is doing its own lobbying.
Unlike the school, Hofstra University is virulently opposed to the casino proposal and has filed a lawsuit against Nassau County, alleging that the county infringed environmental review and open meeting laws in its agreement with Sands.
Relations between the two institutions have become tense, as former Governor David Paterson (D-NY) - now a Sands lobbyist - claimed he was banned from speaking at Hofstra, where he earned his law degree. The following month, Blakeman, the Nassau County Executive (R), leveled allegations of collusion against Hofstra, suggesting their representatives may have helped Steve Cohen, owner of the New York Mets, and Hard Rock International in their bid for a Queens casino permit.
Hofstra insists it's not against casinos in the New York City area; it simply doesn't want one so close to campus. On the other hand, Nassau Community College is not entangled in such feuds and appears to be more pragmatic in its support of the LVS plan.
Nassau Community College Has Something to Gain or Lose from Casino
Although Nassau Community College is not actively lobbying for the Long Island casino project, the school stands to gain or lose depending on whether Sands wins a gaming license.
In January 2023, the gaming company declared it will employ the school as its training facility. This public-private alliance could generate employment and revenue for the institution.
This partnership could also pave the way for the initiation of course offerings, such as classes in casino and hotel management, security, culinary programs, and meetings and banquets, among others.
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Source: www.casino.org
