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Indian Gaming
Land-into-trust an issue for Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's casino
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
A Massachusetts legislative committee quickly advanced a Class III gaming compact for the Mashpee Wampanoag
Tribe on Monday amid concerns about the land-into-trust process.
After gaining federal recognition in May 2007, the tribe filed its first land-into-trust application a few months later. But before the Bureau of Indian Affairs made a decision, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Carcieri v.
Salazar, ruled that the land-into-trust process is only available to tribes that were "under federal jurisdiction" in 1934.
The case troubles some state lawmakers who worry that the process will take years. But a proposed amendment to the compact to impose a deadline was rejected by the committee.
“I can tell you it would have been a deal breaker,” Vice Chairman Aaron Tobey Jr. told the committee of a potential deadline, State House News Service reported.
The BIA has held public hearings on the tribe's application, which includes a 146-acre gaming site in the city of Taunton.
Get the Story:
State fast-tracks casino legislation
(The Cape Cod Times 7/17)
Tribal leader calls land in-trust deadline 'deal breaker' for casino compact
(State House News Service 7/17)
Pols ready to go all in on new casino
(The Boston Herald 7/17)
Mashpee Wampanoag tribe says deadline would be casino 'deal breaker'
(AP 7/17)
State committee recommends casino agreement; Taunton mayor "pleased"
(The Taunton Daily Gazette 7/16)
Lawmakers Opt Against Deadline On Mashpee’s Land Bid
(WBUR 7/16)
Legal ambiguities face Mashpee Wampanoags
(Commonwealth 7/16)
Some Opinions:
Editorial: Let’s make a deal
(The Boston Herald 7/17)
Damion Wilmot: A Tribal Casino Coming To Southeastern Massachusetts? Not So Fast...
(Mondaq.com 7/17)
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Rich Tallcot:
Gov. Patrick had no reason to settle Mashpee's land claim
(The Taunton Daily Gazette 7/17)
Related Stories:
First hearing scheduled on Mashpee
Wampanoag Tribe compact (7/16)