Catskills casino plan subject of ongoing debate

Thursday, June 23, 2005  

First it was three, then it was five, then it was one. And now it could be none if an agreement isn't reached about the number of tribal casinos in the Catskills of New York.

Currently, Gov. George Pataki (R) is only prepared to support one casino, for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. But some lawmakers and casino supporters want the plan beefed up back to three, something Pataki said isn't going to happen right now.

The Democrat-led Assembly passed Pataki's Mohawk bill but the Republican leader of the Senate wants the Oneidas of Wisconsin and the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans from Wisconsin included in the settlement. His son is a lobbyist who represents the Oneidas, according to news reports.

Get the Story:
Casino feud could doom both plans (Ottaway News Service 6/23)
pwlat
Family matter or political violation? (The Albany Times-Union 6/23)
Kingston alderman shuffle theirt casino stance (The Kingston Daily Freeman 6/23)