Artist's rendering of the proposed West Valley Resort. Image from Tohono O'odham Nation
Opponents of the Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino are seeking to put the issue on an upcoming ballot. Gary Hirsch is collecting signatures on a referendum that would force the city of Glendale to support H.R.1410, the Keep the Promise Act. The city council recently voted to oppose the measure and open negotiations with the tribe for the West Valley Resort. "This petition seeks to refer the March 25, 2014, Glendale City Council vote opposing H.R. 1410, Congressional legislation to keep the promise struck by Tribes and Arizona voters and prevent new casinos in metro Phoenix," the referral states, The Glendale Star reported. A 'no' vote on this referral will overturn the council’s pro-casino decision and respect the NO casino promise, protecting the city’s budget and core services.” The city had been fighting the tribe since the casino was announced in 2009. But after losing rounds of litigation and spending millions of dollars in lobbying and legal fees, the council changed course with the vote against H.R.1410. The House passed the bill in September. The bill doesn't mention the Tohono O'odham Nation by name but it bars Class II and Class III gaming on any trust land acquired in the metro Phoenix area after April 9, 2013. The tribe is the only one in that situation. Get the Story:
Hirsch pulls referendum petitions to put Franks' casino bill on ballot (The Glendale Star 4/15)
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