State senators and Long Island lawmakers say the Elmont community got a raw deal out of the agreement between the New York Racing Association and the state.

As part of the new 25-year deal between the state and NYRA, the coveted video lottery terminals many had hoped would be added at the Belmont tracks will not be coming. "It's a disgrace," says Assemblyman Thomas Alfano. "It's an embarrassment."

Community members were depending on the addition of video lottery terminals to boost the local economy. The slot-like gambling machines, however, will not be coming from Albany, nor will an automatic $20 million community grant Elmont had been expecting. The grant was to be used to beautify and redevelop neighborhoods around the track and help fund local schools.

"Unfortunately, Gov. Spitzer from New York and Speaker Silver from New York City consider us an afterthought and really did not push for positive results for us," says state Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre).

County officials had expected the addition of video lottery terminals to add about $21 million to county coffers. Representatives from Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi's office say they are considering options like tax hikes to fill the hole left in the budget.