The New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation (NYC OTB) has played a central role in the New York State horse racing industry for the past 38 years and has been a financial resource to New York City and New York State during that time. NYC OTB is currently running a significant monthly deficit which is having an adverse impact on its operations and on the New York racing industry. The corporation recently announced it will go through a restructuring process via a Chapter 9 bankruptcy filing.

The purpose of this hearing is to evaluate and discuss proposed changes in the corporation's business plan to reduce its costs and to provide for improved operational efficiencies and any statutory changes that may be necessary to allow NYC OTB to continue its operations.

Oral testimony will be by invitation only. Any persons invited to testify or wishing to present pertinent written testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form by January 5, 2009. It is important that the enclosed reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to fifteen minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearing on the future of New York City Off-Track Betting are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email or fax it to: