Vote on Manhattan stadium delayed as Olympic deadline looms

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) A vote on the state&#39;s commitment to the proposed $2 billion stadium in Manhattan to be used by the New York Jets and considered crucial for New York&#39;s chances of hosting the 2012 Olympics was postponed Monday.<br> <br> State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver postponed the vote, which was scheduled for Wednesday. No new date was set for the state Public Authorities Control Board to act on the proposal.<br> <br> U.S. Olympic officials have said the proposal must be approved before the International Olympic Committee chooses the 2012 site on July 6.<br> <br> Gov. George Pataki, who strongly supports the stadium proposal, granted the delay under the rules of the board controlled by himself, Silver and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. Each of their representatives to the board can postpone a vote once, and Bruno postponed the vote last week. Further delays are possible under the rules, however, if a voting member is absent.<br> <br> Bruno and Silver have argued they haven&#39;t gotten enough information on the project that would require the state to commit $300 million. Silver said he isn&#39;t certain about the legality of the vote while civil lawsuits are pending that challenge the proposal. He also questions how much cash flow will come from the project.<br> <br> ``The Assembly Majority has requested a postponement of Wednesday&#39;s PACB vote on the New York Sports and Convention Center,&#39;&#39; said the board&#39;s chairman, Pataki budget director John Cape. ``Consistent with past practices of the board, this request will be honored.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> He said he has sent Bruno and Silver ``formal answers to the major questions that have been raised&#39;&#39; and the vote will be rescheduled ``at the earliest possible date.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Pataki has planned to include representatives of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at the meeting to answer questions of Bruno&#39;s and Silver&#39;s representatives. The Republican mayor also strongly supports the stadium.<br> <br> Last week, a letter was released from U.S. Olympic Committee chairman Peter Ueberroth, who warned Bruno and Silver that New York will lose its chance to land the 2012 Summer Games if a plan for a Manhattan stadium is not approved.<br> <br> New York, Madrid, Moscow, London and Paris are the Olympic finalists, with the IOC to vote on a host city July 6. Some consider New York a long shot even if it finalizes a stadium deal.<br> <br> New York is in the midst of a heated battle over whether to build the $1.9 billion, 75,000-seat stadium on the far West Side of Manhattan that would also be home to the Jets.<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)