NY Senate Considering Rescue Plan For NYC OTB

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The state Senate has been called back to consider a rescue plan for the financially troubled New York City Off-Track Betting Corp.

Senate Democratic leader John Sampson says it will require bipartisan support Tuesday to pass the rescue and reorganization plan approved by the Assembly.

The 40-year-old state-owned bookmaking enterprise's board voted to close after business Friday and lay off 800 employees, while urging Senate action.

Calls to OTB for comment on whether it will go ahead with the shutdown were not immediately returned Thursday.

Senate Republican spokesman Scott Rief says Thursday there should be solution that strengthens horse racing and protects taxpayers.

The pending plan is a new business model with concessions by unions and management to modernize.