Former Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn, left, with Schaghticoke Tribal Nation Chief Richard Velky. Photo from STN
The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation is ready to move forward with the casino-bidding process in Connecticut, Chief Richard Velky said on Tuesday. Last week the tribe announced that it formed a business entity to pursue the casino under Special Act 15-7. Even though the Secretary of the State quickly said the tribe's application was granted in error, Velky insisted that the entity remains intact. "We abided by the law, filed a complete, detailed application to develop a commercial casino in Connecticut, and our application for a business entity under Special Act 15-7 was approved," Velky said in a press release. "We are ready to move forward." Special Act 15-7, which does not actually authorize a new casino, makes clear that the only "tribal business entity" that can be accepted by the state is the one formed by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe. Section 1 reads:
"Tribal business entity" means the business entity registered with the Secretary of the State to do business in the state and owned exclusively by both the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut.The two tribes are still reviewing five proposals for the potential casino. Once they select a site, they will have to go back to the Connecticut Legislature to authorize the project. Get the Story:
Schaghticoke Tribal Nation says it's ready to build casino (The Waterbury Republican-American 2/20)
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