September 11th Red Tape Removal; Casino Advisory Committee Upcoming Vote on “The Coney,” Casino Application On Coney Island: Senator Scarcella-Spanton
Editor’s note: For those unfamiliar, this was a proposed casino right in the midst of the Coney Island beach area. According to reporting in the Brooklyn Paper:
“Brawls broke out in the packed Coney Island YMCA on Wednesday night at the second and final public meeting of The Coney’s Community Advisory Committee.
Just over 100 people testified at the four-hour hearing, and dozens more were left waiting outside, unable to enter after the room reached capacity. The majority of speakers — about 85 — voiced their opposition to the proposed casino, with roughly 25 in favor.
The Coney, backed by a team of developers headed by Thor Equities, would stretch across 1.6 million square feet and include a casino, convention center, hotel, restaurants, and retail space….Patrick Wall, executive director of Coney Island USA, said the casino, with restaurants and entertainment inside, would give visitors no reason to exit and visit nearby small businesses and attractions.”
This project was doomed from the beginning, and has now failed due to a no vote from the committee, of which Senator Scarcella-Spanton is a part.
STATEMENT ON UPCOMING CASINO ADVISORY COMMITTEE VOTE
BROOKLYN, NY — “As the State Senator representing Coney Island and a member of the Casino Advisory Committee, I am proud to publicly share that I will be voting NO in the upcoming vote regarding The Coney’s casino license application.
“Since the New York State Gaming Commission’s casino licensing process began and The Coney’s application was presented for review, I was clear that I would allow this process to play out, but would ultimately vote in the direction of what the majority of the community that I represent wants, needs, and deserves. After taking part in two public hearings regarding this application, reading countless testimonies, and meeting with and hearing from my constituents about their thoughts, perspectives, and concerns regarding this application, I have decided to vote in opposition.
“After engaging in dialogue with the applicants and reviewing their materials, and taking into consideration issues such as the proposed project’s impact on public safety, transportation and congestion, gambling and substance use, youth and older adults, and Coney Island’s infrastructure, local businesses, and historic cultural landscape, I have concluded that The Coney’s application would not be suitable for the proposed location.
“I thank The Coney team for putting forward this application, the New York State Gaming Commission for facilitating this process, and most importantly, my constituents and the Coney Island community for their participation and testimonies.”
SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON’S LEGISLATION TO CUT RED TAPE FOR 9/11 FIRST RESPONDERS SIGNED INTO LAW
Albany, NY – Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton’s legislation to streamline benefits for 9/11 first responders was signed into law by Governor Hochul on the 24th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks. Senate Bill S4554A cuts through the red tape, making it easier for first responders and their families to access the benefits they earned through their service.
Previously, first responders had to file a Notice of Participation to qualify for World Trade Center-related disability or death benefits. Over time, many records were lost due to disasters such as Superstorm Sandy and fires, making it increasingly difficult for responders and their families to prove their service. In some cases, verification could take up to 18 months, delaying critical financial support for those who are sick or have lost loved ones.
Recognizing the mounting difficulty for retired officers and their families to verify their participation at Ground Zero, the law now establishes a rebuttable presumption that a sworn Notice of Participation is accurate—shifting the burden of verification from the applicant to the NYPD. The new law improves efficiency while maintaining integrity by requiring the NYPD to disprove an applicant’s claim, rather than forcing first responders and their families to provide documentation that may no longer exist, often decades after the fact.
“Every year on this day, New York feels the weight of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center, but no one more so than the brave first responders who returned to Ground Zero day after day, putting their health on the line for our city. For them, 9/11 is something they grapple with every day, not just through memory, but through the countless health complications that have arisen for them since. The least we can do is make sure they receive the benefits they earned through their dedicated service, which is why I introduced this legislation to cut through all the existing red tape. Securing these benefits has been an uphill battle for too many 9/11 first responders, and I’m proud that on this 24th anniversary, Governor Hochul signed my bill into law. Now every officer who risked everything to protect our city — and their families — can access the benefits they deserve,” said Senator Scarcella-Spanton.
Chris Monahan, President of the NYPD Captains Endowment Association said, “This legislation finally gives members of the NYPD the fairness they deserve. On September 11, 2001 they ran towards the danger not away thinking themselves and their families would get the benefits they were promised. After 24 years many have died from 9/11 illness and their widows have been denied benefits they deserved due to lost or destroyed documents. This legislation represents a major step forward in protecting the rights and health of our members and their families. Members of the Captains Endowment Association would like to thank Governor Hochul, Senator Scarcella-Spanton and Assemblywoman Pheffer-Amato.”
Senator Scarcella-Spanton was appointed as Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, and is a member of the Committees on Civil Service and Pensions, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation Disabilities, Labor, and Women’s Issues.
Banner Image: September 11th Memorial. Image Credit – Sean Fitzpatrick
