Rev. Diaz Irked By Cuomo’s Casino Dreams

January 5, 2012 at 5:13 PM

By Jeanmarie Evelly

Rev. Ruben Diaz, Sr. (File photo by Jeanmarie Evelly)

Bronx State Sen. Rev. Ruben Diaz, Sr., has some objections to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plans for New York–particularly his idea to legalize casino-style gambling–which the governor laid out yesterday in his State of the State address.

Diaz admits he’s one of the only not lauding yesterday’s speech (the Rev., very descriptively, called himself “the lone voice crying in the wilderness”), in which Cuomo described his plans to boost New York’s economy by investing in infrastructure, and, yes, amending the state constitution to allow for the operation of casinos.

“Governor Cuomo has already legalized gay marriage,” Diaz laments. “Now he wants to legalize casino gambling. What’s next – legalizing prostitution and marijuana and drugs – all in good “faith” to make money to raise tax revenues for the State?”