The Fire Rock Navajo Casino in New Mexico. Photo from Facebook
Seven tribes are seeking to renew or negotiate Class III gaming compacts in New Mexico. Existing compacts with Acoma Pueblo, Pojoaque Pueblo, the Navajo Nation, the Mescalero Apache Nation and the Jicarilla Apache Nation expire in June 2015. Two more tribes -- Zuni Pueblo and Jemez Pueblo -- are seeking agreements for the first time. "The Governor’s Office is negotiating with most of the pueblos and tribes and will submit the proposed agreements to the legislative Committee on Compacts before the session starts," the Legislative Finance Committee said in its November 2014 newsletter. The next session starts in January 2015. The Pojoaque Pueblo compact remains in the air because the tribe and the state broke off talks. The impasse prompted the tribe to ask the Bureau of Indian Affairs from issuing Class III gaming procedures but a federal judge said the agency couldn't proceed in response to a lawsuit from the state. The Navajo Nation compact remains controversial due to opposition from tribes with existing casinos. They are worried about the location and number of facilities the Navajos are potentially seeking. Get the Story:
Tribes look to renew gaming compact (The Albuquerque Business First 11/24) Related Stories:
Law Article: Judge restricts BIA authority in Class III dispute (10/23)
Judge won't let BIA proceed with compact for Pojoaque Pueblo (10/20)
Navajo Nation weighs next step for New Mexico gaming compact (03/05)
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