After Cuomo veto, Hawley said he is assured raffle law will be updated
ALBION – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley on Tuesday said it was “unthinkable” that Gov. Andrew Cuomo would veto legislation that would modernize raffle laws, allowing fire departments and charities to advertise fundraisers online and accept debit card and credit card payments.
“Disrespectful and heartless doesn’t begin to describe Cuomo’s actions toward our tens of thousands of tireless volunteers in charities, churches and fire departments, who donate their time to improving their community and now have their hands tied when it comes to fundraising,” Hawley said in a statement on Tuesday, a day after Cuomo’s veto.
The Assembly and Senate both gave strong support for the raffle legislation, which passed 136 to 8 in the Assembly and 59 to 3 in the Senate.
Hawley had a softer message on Wednesday, saying he spoke with Cuomo officials. The governor’s administration wants to find a solution to “the state’s outdated gaming laws,” Hawley said.
He noted the current laws are punitive to organizations like the Stafford Fire Department, which had sold tickets out of the area for a Corvette raffle.
“The governor’s office reiterated that they intend to help our local charities and fire departments and admit that the decision to veto the legislation was not an easy one,” Hawley said. “I am hopeful that we will resolve the situation sooner rather than later, and I will do everything in my power to make it so.”
