Voters in Nassau County vote Monday on new hockey arena.
Voters in suburban New York are being asked to approve a $400 million referendum to construct a new hockey arena and minor league ballpark.
Monday's vote in Nassau County on Long Island is billed by supporters as a last-ditch effort to keep the NHL's New York Islanders from relocating when the team's lease expires in 2015.
The county is struggling to close a $100 million-plus budget deficit. But supporters say it would be worse to lose the team and the income generated by concerts and other events.
Critics say the county should not finance a construction project that will benefit the millionaire owner of the Islanders.
Regardless of the outcome, the county legislature and a state fiscal watchdog agency still must approve the project.
