WASHINGTON, D.C. (WKTV) - Democratic Congressman Michael Arcuri reacted to the agreement reached between Oneida County and the Oneida Indian Nation. Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente announced the plans at the county office building.

CONGRESSMAN ARCURI'S STATEMENT:
“I commend County Executive Picente for the leadership he has shown, as well as Ray Halbritter and the leadership of the Oneida Nation, for coming together and negotiating in an attempt to resolve these issues; however, I don’t agree with the result. As I have said all along, any settlement that does not address the two key long-term issues; a cap on land the tribe may place in trust and a guaranteed, recurring revenue stream for the State, Counties and localities, is not in the best interest of Oneida County.

“If this were a solution intended only for today’s needs, I might support it; however, this is not a good agreement for our children and future generations. In ten years, we will be right back where we started. This puts off for the future that which we need to resolve today.”