Long Island one step closer to another casino

Tension built inside the Nassau County legislative chambers all day, but lawmakers voted to transfer the 72-acre Nassau Coliseum property to Las Vegas Sands, which will protect current jobs there. 

A second vote made the Nassau County Legislature the lead agency for an environmental review, which is expected to take six to eight months. 

The project still has many hurdles to overcome before it can become a reality, but this vote begins the process.

Judge ordered lawmakers to re-vote on casino's approval

There were dueling viewpoints the first time the Legislature voted "yes" to transfer the Coliseum lease to Las Vegas Sands.

A judge ruled the county did not properly notify the public or review the development plan before applying for the lease. So a re-vote was required. 

"It's not just a casino. It's a resort. It's a destination. Hopefully it brings business into Long Island," said Giro LaRocca, a casino supporter. 

Opponents worry casino will raise traffic and crime

Hofstra University, located across the boulevard from the Coliseum, vehemently opposes the plan, as do the nearby Kellenberg High School and the Village of Garden City. 

Opponents say they fear an increase in crime, gambling addiction, traffic and environmental stress, and say they were blindsided by County Executive Bruce Blakeman's deal with Las Vegas Sands. 

"Twenty minutes of traffic with Billy Joel closing out the Nassau Coliseum is not the same as this inundation of cars and buses that our roads are not designed to handle," said Allison Obrien Silva, of the Say No to the Casino Civic Association. 

"Traffic and pollution, crime. It's going to bring DWI fatalities. It's going to bring addiction," said Garden City Mayor Mary Flanagan. 

Supporters say casino will bring jobs 

Supporters, like Nassau Community College, say the casino will bring thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue to the county. 

"The potential for the people to provide for their family, it's the here and now," said Ryan Stanton, with the Long Island Federation of Labor. 

"If all goes as planned, that's 8,500 construction workers for a term of more than 18 months," said Matthew Aracich, with Building+Construction Trades Council.

Las Vegas Sands is among 11 downstate bidders vying for three licenses in the area. It may take until December 2025 for the licenses to be awarded. 

Nassau County Legislature approves mask ban

The Nassau County Legislature also approved a bill Monday that makes it a misdemeanor to wear a mask or face covering to hide one's identity in public. 

It would be punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. 

The Mask Transparency Act was introduced in response to antisemitic incidents that authorities said were often committed by people wearing masks. 

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman supports the bill and is expected to sign it.