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Deal would weaken NYRA control

"NYRA is objecting privately to the plan, which is part of a deal being worked out by negotiators for Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Sen. Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to extend NYRA's franchise to run state racetracks for another 20 to 25 years.

"Under the plan, NYRA would have to reduce its board from 28 members, 20 of whom are NYRA appointees, to 21 members, 11 of whom would be appointed by NYRA.

"Of the other 10 board members, the governor would appoint three, the Assembly speaker and Senate majority leader would each appoint two, and horse owners, breeders and organized labor would each name one.

"...Its board of trustees currently includes people involved in thoroughbred horse breeding and ownership. Most government appointees were named by Gov. George Pataki. Several have been trustees for many years.

"Under a proposal worked out in September, NYRA, a nonprofit racing association, had agreed to shrink its board to 19 members, with 13 NYRA appointees and six government appointees. That deal preserved NYRA's super-majority. The new proposal would give NYRA a simple majority on the board..."

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