The New York Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo have reached a deal to allow Empire Resorts, the company that owns Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, NY, to open a video lottery terminal in Woodbury.  The legislation may be passed Thursday evening, on the final day of the session.

The news prompted a joint press release from Sen. Jen Metzger and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther: "When Empire Resorts proposed to open a VLT facility in Woodbury to shore up their finances, our first concern was to make sure that Sullivan jobs and taxpayers were protected. As your state representatives, we successfully secured an agreement that employment and fiscal commitments to Sullivan County are written into the state law, which enables a Woodbury VLT operation. The legislation commits Resorts World Catskills to preserving, at a minimum, 1,473 full-time jobs at the casino. The legislation will also require a full restoration of impact aid to the county, Town of Thompson, and Village of Monticello that was lost with the closure of the Monticello Racino--an amount in excess of $1.2 million annually. Finally, the legislation will increase the purses for our horsemen and enshrine in statute the long-term operation of harness racing in Monticello. We have succeeded in securing the best possible outcome for the people of Sullivan County."