Thanks for your email regarding Tioga Downs and Trackpower’s website.

I share your concern that it’s hard for casinos, like Tioga Downs, to stay in operation at the current rate they’re being taxed.

You’ll be pleased to know that I’m a strong supporter and a cosponsor of legislation (S.3830-A, Larkin), which would increase the vendor and marketing fees paid to racetracks conducting video lottery gaming.

If you’d like to reference this bill online, please visit the State Senate’s website at www.senate.state.ny.us and click on the left-hand link for "Bills & Laws." Just plug in the bill number without punctuation (ex. s3830) and click "Submit." This will tell you where the bill stands in the legislative process. To read the bill’s text, summary or sponsor’s memo, simply check the appropriate boxes at the top of the screen and press the "search" button.

If you’d like to receive an email alert informing you of any bill status changes to S.3830-A, please inform my Constituent Services Assistant, Chris Luther, by emailing him at cjl@senatorlibous.com or by calling 773-8771.

The Federal government has set strict regulations relating to distance between exits on interstates. The number of exits allowed per area is calculated by a formula that takes into account, among other things, local population, lane size and traffic flow. In order to add an exit at Tioga Downs, one would have to be taken away from another area.

While I understand your frustration that Trackpower’s website hasn’t been updated in over a year, as a State Senator, I can’t force a privately traded company to update its website. However, I encourage you to visit Tioga Downs website at www.TiogaDowns.com that is frequently updated with promotions and upcoming events.

I hope this information is helpful. Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns with me. I value your input.

Best wishes,

Tom