The New York state Assembly returned to the state Capitol this week for a short special session to wrap up some “unfinished business” but is expected to leave Albany without taking action on the Seneca gaming compact, according to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

Last week, Speaker Heastie announced that the Assembly would not advance a measure that would allow the state to move forward with renewing the gaming compact between New York state and the Seneca Nation. On Wednesday, Heastie said a deal must be respectful of the Seneca Nation while also ensuring the Rochester delegation of Assembly members are “comfortable.”

Gov. Hochul has recused herself from negotiations on the gaming compact because her husband works for the firm Delaware North, which has connections to the gaming industry. Speaker Heastie told Capital Tonight that he is “comfortable” with the recusal arrangement and added that the governor has been a “standup, ethical person.”

In response to the idea that the first gentleman stand down from his role at Delaware North, Heastie argues that spouses of elected officials already sacrifice a lot and that the first gentleman’s background as a former U.S. attorney sets him up to understand where limitations are.

The Assembly is not expected to act on bills pending in the Legislature on a variety of topics including the NY Heat Act which had passed the state Senate. Heastie explained that the legislative houses, while controlled by Democratic supermajorities, may not pass the same bill at the same time.

Heastie says the plan is to return to Albany for the next legislative session but he does not close the door on returning earlier, if needed.