Statement from Governor David A. Paterson

"While hosting the John Gambling radio program this morning, I received a call from a 40-year employee of NYC OTB asking why I wouldn't give the New York State Senate four more days to pass a restructuring plan. I responded to the woman, who identified herself as Gail from Manhattan, that the corporation did not have the resources to pay the workforce or the rent for December unless a plan was in place by the close of business on Friday, December 3.

"Later in the day, I was apprised by the Board that the closure of NYC OTB would generate $20 million in immediate costs to the State, as well as costs to the Counties of Saratoga and Nassau and the City of Yonkers. Because such costs far exceeded the liabilities of rent and payments to the workforce, the Board concluded that it would give the Senate one last chance to pass a restructuring plan. While the Board extended this time, it has publicly pledged that this will be the last opportunity for reorganization before the corporation will close down.

"I extend my best wishes to Senate Conference Leader John Sampson and Minority Leader Dean Skelos that they are able to provide the votes needed to save thousands of jobs and make NYC OTB a revenue generating entity to bring badly-needed resources to the State of New York and the entire racing industry."

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