New York lawmakers approved a deal that will help keep Vernon Downs open during a two-day special session that concluded yesterday in Albany. The Tioga Downs sister track will receive $2 million per year for the next two years. Owner Jeff Gural says the property has been losing $150,000 per month. The Senate and Assembly also came to agreement on a two-year extension of mayoral control of New York City schools, a three-year extension of sales tax provisions for county governments, a $55 million flood relief package for residents along Lake Ontario, and to rename the Tappan Zee Bridge after former Gov. Mario Cuomo, the current governor’s late father.
