Liverpool (WSYR-TV) - Governor Paterson's proposal to use mixed martial arts competitions to raise money for the state's struggling budget passed the State Senate Thursday. While it still needs the approval of the Assembly, the competitions are now one step closer to returning to the Empire State.
Mixed martial arts was banned from New York 15 years ago, forcing many competitors to have to travel out of state. If lawmakers allow it, martial arts instructor Kim Andrello says the benefits would go beyond competition. Governor Paterson has estimated it would garner an extra $2 million for a state struggling with an $8 billion deficit over the next two years. "It's much needed money for the state. Much needed revenue and it's always good to hold a big event. I think the UFC was looking at Madison Square Garden, which is huge," said Andrello.
Andrello has built her entire career on being a competitive fighter. In all those years, however, mixed martial arts has never been an option. "I love it. I think it's great for the state and I think when done correctly it's a great sport," she said.
Some lawmakers aren't for the fights. They equate some televised matches like the UFC to human dog-fights. Andrello disagrees. "There are rules and regulations. It's not no-holds bar everything goes. It's a blend of martial arts that has been around forever and they're just putting all those forms into a form of competition," she said.
Students at Andrello's martial arts school in Liverpool, including Luay Ashkar, could also benefit from allowing mixed martial arts competitions. "I also think there would be more people in my weight class if there was mixed martial arts because in Muay Thai there aren't really many people in the 120 weight class," said Ashkar.
The state has tried for the past two years to legalize the competitions, which are allowed already allowed in 31 other states.
The Governor included the proposal in his initial budget . So far the State Senate has approved the bill, but it's now up the State Assembly to vote on it. A decision will likely come by June 28, the deadline that Governor Paterson has set for lawmakers to have a budget put together.
If the Assembly doesn't approve this bill by that deadline, the Governor says he will include it in the emergency extender bill. The legislature must pass an emergency extender bill from the Governor each week in lieu of a proper budget, or risk shutting down state government.
