NY budget bill passes

New York lawmakers have passed a budget on time for the first time in 21 years and the $105 billion spending plan, passed on Thursday, also includes a new video lottery terminal bill. The new VLT bill raises the fee paid to the track operators and specifies monies for a Breeding Fund that will pay purses and breed incentives.



The New York Times reported that the budget may still face challenges from Gov. George E. Pataki, but Pataki has said he was confident that the final details would be worked out soon. He has until April 12 to issue any vetoes.



"Quite simply, the budget is done and that is a very positive step," Mr. Pataki told reporters after lawmakers finished their work. "But this is not as good a budget as it should be."



If the VLT provisions remain as proposed and passed, Yonkers Raceway is expected to close down almost immediately to begin construction of a new facility. New York Sire Stakes and other stakes would need to be moved, but no plans have yet been formalized.

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