ALBANY — Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, a Democrat from Rotterdam, is calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to include the legalization of mixed martial arts in his state budget proposal this year.
Mixed martial arts has been banned in New York since 1997. Legislation proposed to legalize the sport in the state has been knocked out by the Democratic-led Assembly in previous years, while the Senate, which claimed a Republican majority in November, previously approved the measure.
“New York is missing out on millions in economic opportunities by being the lone state to prohibit professional mixed martial arts competitions,” Santabarbara said in a statement. “Governor Cuomo can give our state's economy an immediate shot in the arm by including the legalization of this sport in the state budget."
Cuomo plans to deliver his 2015 State of the State address and budget presentation in Albany on Wednesday.
Mixed martial arts is a full-contact sport that allows participants to strike each other standing up and on the ground. Groups opposed to the sport along with some Democrats in the state Legislature argue that it is too violent.
Although professional MMA is illegal in the state, amateur matches are common and well-attended, Santabarbara said in a news release on Monday. He added that legalizing the sport would allow the state to regulate matches.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I have no problem with MMA being legal. Whether it's in the budget or if it was a bill on it's own.
That being said, I think MMA sucks as it is much more luck based than skill based.
"Approval ratings go up and down for various reasons... An example is the high post 911 support for GWB even though he could be said to be responsible for the event." --- Box A Rox '9/11 Truther'
Melania is a bimbo... she is there to look at, not to listen to. --- Box A Rox and his 'War on Women'
So NYS is one of the highest for 'outbound' residents. One of the highest taxes in the country. And this is the best that Santabarbara can come up with? It's nothing more than a government money grab!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Introduced Session:2015-2016 General Assembly Bill Summary:AN ACT to amend the transportation law, in relation to the creation of a website where motorists can report potholes Bill Subjects:Not specified Sponsors: Thomas J. Abinanti (D)*, Carmen E. Arroyo (D)*, Alec Brook-Krasny (D)*, David Buchwald (D)*, Sandra Risk Galef (D)*, Noah Nickolas Perry (D)*, Jose Rivera (D)*, William Scarborough (D)*, Michaelle C. Solages (D)*, Vivian E. Cook (D), Marcos A. Crespo (D), Dov Hikind (D), Earlene Hooper (D), Michael P. Kearns (D), David G. McDonough (R), Anthony H. Palumbo (R), Nily D. Rozic (D), Angelo L. Santabarbara (D), James G. Skoufis (D), Kenneth P. Zebrowski Jr. (D) Last Action:REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION (on 1/8/2015) Passed:No Progress:Introduced (on 1/8/2015
Silver was the big block in this, since he was taking money from the Unions in Vegas, to block MMA in NY. The UFC is owned by casino owners at a large non union casino, and this has been how they are trying to hurt the UFC. There have been enough votes in both the house and senate for years, but Silver would never bring it to a vote.
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