Column: State pressures Oneida Nation on gaming

Monday, May 7, 2007  

"Over the last couple of years, the highest federal and state courts have clearly determined that the land Turning Stone sits on is not sovereign Oneida land. Only sovereign Indian land is eligible for a gaming compact. In addition, the courts have said that the compact Gov. Mario Cuomo entered into with the Oneidas was void from the git go because the Legislature never approved it.

Yet the state has dithered on taking any sort of action against the casino because it employs 5,000 people. A private group, Upstate Citizens for Equality, has been screaming the emperor wears no clothes. It sued the Oneidas, citing Turning Stone as an illegal operation as early as 1999. Finally, we're seeing progress here in calling a spade a spade.

Keep in mind, this is all about money, at least from the state's perspective, and who should pocket it. Forget the moral arguments as to whether we should have a casino at all. Sadly, that argument seems as dusty and old-fashioned as a top hat.

According to the terms of the 1993 compact, the Oneidas keep all the gambling revenues. What Spitzer is after here is to create enormous pressures on Ray Halbritter's Oneidas and force them to the negotiating table to craft a new, state-friendly gaming compact. The Oneidas say the state is looking for a 33 percent cut, and they are ripped about it.

For a percentage, that sounds about right to me. Out in western New York, the Senecas have agreed to 25 percent as the state share of casino revenues."

Get the Story:
Fred LeBrun: State makes its play in casino tax dispute (The Albany Times-Union 5/6)