SYRACUSE -- The Onondaga County Legislature's Ways and Means Committee has denied the Oncenter's request for a $1.8 million bailout.
The vote was two in favor, two opposed, with three abstentions. Onondaga County Legislators and the Oncenter Board debated for more than an hour.
The Oncenter made the request because it cannot pay its bills, in part because it provided its facilities to the Women's Bowling Tournament, currently going on rent free. The board argues the Oncenter was always intended to be subsidized by taxpayers and the Room Occupancy Tax in order attract business and visitors to Central New York.
Lawmakers balked at the size of the $1.8 million subsidy, which comes after they already allocated $1.4 million to the Oncenter.
Oncenter CEO Terri Toennies says the board now intends to rework the legislation and take it before the full Legislature when it meets June 7th.
