Leaders of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe met with Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) on Tuesday to discuss gaming issues.
The newly recognized tribe is seeking to build a casino in the town of Middleboro. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is processing a land-into-trust application for the gaming site.
Patrick wants the tribe to pursue one of three commercial casinos that are being debated in the state.
Tribal bidders would be given preference but the gaming facility would fall under state law and be required to pay state taxes.
Mashpee leaders plan to pursue their own casino but Chairman Shawn Hendricks said yesterday that the tribe is interested in working with the state. "It's commonsense that we would, you know, build a relationship. We don't want to come out in a negative light and come out in a controversy with anyone," Hendricks said, according to the Associated Press..
Get the Story:Tribe rebuffs Patrick, pursues U.S. casino OK (The Boston Herald 3/5)
Tribe, state still at odds on casinos (The Cape Cod Times 3/5)
Tribe shows cards to the state (The Brockton Enterprise 3/5)
Patrick challenges DiMasi over casino proposal (The Boston Globe 3/5)
Patrick administration, Wampanoags hold casino huddle (AP 3/4)
