Recent passage in the State Senate of bill S6502 sponsored by upstate City of Rome Republican state Sen. Joe Griffo to legalize mixed martial arts in the state Legislature moving forward is great news.
It will be interesting to see if state Assembly Speaker Democrat Sheldon Silver will allow a vote on companion bill A8775 in his chamber.
Mixed martial arts is a rapidly growing sport already legal in other states. It rivals both wrestling and boxing in fans and attendance for Pay-for-View events.
Why should we miss out on the jobs, economic growth and new tax revenues?
If Gov. Andrew Cuomo, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, state Senate Leader Dean Skelos, Silver and members of the state Legislature can not work out their differences on issues of the day, send them to the Octagon!
Ditto for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, city Comptroller Scott Stringer, city Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and members of the City Council.
They can settle their disagreements on the mat!
These would be sporting events voters from Great Neck, New Hyde Park, Herricks, Williston Park, Garden City, Manhasset, Plandome, Roslyn and other communities would pay top dollar to see!
Larry Penner
Great Neck
