"Early Monday morning, Gov. Bev Perdue's administration reached an accord with the Cherokee tribe to introduce table gambling in Western North Carolina. When the legislature did not immediately endorse the compact, a Perdue aide charged legislative Republicans with being indifferent to the jobs the deal might create.

Perdue pushed for immediate approval of the deal during the legislature's now-adjourned three-day special session. But the Cherokee deal is no simple economic development measure. The agreement involves serious social and governance policy changes that both the general public and the legislature should contemplate carefully before the compact is approved."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Legislature wise to resist Perdue's rush job (The Winston Salem-Journal 12/4)

Another Opinion:
BARRY SMITH: GOP seeks more time to study casino expansion compact (The Newbern Sun Journal 12/5)

Also Today:
NC Legislature's lawyers question tribal deal (AP 12/2)
NC Cherokee deal doesn't mean dealers just yet (AP 12/4)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Consider side effects of Eastern Cherokee compact (12/1)
Editorial: Debate consequences of Eastern Cherokee compact (11/30)
Lawmakers not rushing to pass Eastern Cherokee casino pact (11/29)
Eastern Cherokees announce a new Class III gaming compact (11/28)