Artist's rendering
of the proposed West
Valley Resort. Image from Tohono O'odham
NationThe Gila River Indian Community and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community have spent nearly $13 million on lobbyists in their bid to block a rival tribe from opening an off-reservation casino in Arizona. The Gila River Tribe has spent $11 million, The Phoenix New-Times reported. In 2013, one of its lobbying contracts was the largest in all of Washington, D.C. The effort appears to have paid off. Members of Congress have introduced legislation known as the Keep the Promise Act ( S.2670 and H.R.1410) to prevent the Tohono O'odham Nation from using its trust land for the West Valley Resort. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will be taking up S.2670 at a hearing tomorrow. Gila River President Gregory Mendoza is on the witness list. The Salt River Tribe has spent far less -- only $2 million, the New-Times reported. President Diane Enos testified at a July 23 hearing before the committee in which she said the Tohono O'odham Nation "lied" to other tribes and the public. The Tohono O'odham Nation has spent nearly $4.4 million on lobbying, the New-Times reported. Get the Story:
Gila River Indian Community Federal Lobbying Tab Reaches Nearly $11 million (The Phoenix New-Times 9/15) Committee Notice:
Legislative Hearing on S. 2670, Keep the Promise Act of 2014 (September 17, 2014) Related Stories:
Petitions submitted to put Tohono O'odham Nation casino to vote (9/15)
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