Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) recently commented on the restoration of funding for Video Lottery Terminals (VLT) at Batavia Downs. The governor’s proposed budget sought to eliminate over $500,000 from revenue sharing with the town and City of Batavia and Genesee County.

“I made clear in person to Governor Cuomo how important this funding was to the people of Genesee County and he heard our message loud and clear,” said Hawley. “Following up our conversation with a pair of letters and weekly phone calls to the governor’s office, I continued to stress the devastating impact these funding cuts would have had on the city and Town of Batavia and Genesee County as a whole. We have avoided committing a grave injustice to the people of Western New York.”

Localities with racing facilities that have VLTs are due a portion of the incoming revenue brought in by such organizations. In Batavia and Genesee County, that money is depended on to keep municipal finances at proper levels.

“If this funding were to be removed, our local governments would be forced to turn to revenue generators like property tax hikes to close the gap,” said Hawley. “Plain and simple, the people of Genesee County were promised this money, they deserve this money, and I commend the two houses of the Legislature for keeping their word by restoring funding.”