Two Democrats join bill to block Tohono O'odham Nation casino

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Artist's rendering of the proposed West Valley Resort. Image from Tohono O'odham Nation.

Two Democrats are co-sponsoring a bill that would prevent the Tohono O'odham Nation from opening an off-reservation casino in Arizona.

During her campaign, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Arizona) said she opposed the tribe's plan for a casino in the Phoenix area. So it's no surprise that she has signed onto H.R.1410

Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Michigan), on the other hand, doesn't appear to have much at stake on the matter. But he is the nephew of former Rep. Dale Kildee, who co-sponsored a similar version of the bill before retiring last year.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Trent Franks (R-Arizona) and it has three Republican co-sponsors. It bars all forms of Class II or Class III gaming on land taken into trust in the Phoenix area after January 1, 2013.

The bill doesn't mention any tribes by name. But its provisions are clearly aimed at the Tohono O'odham Nation, whose proposed West Valley Resort would be located in the Phoenix area.

Get the Story:
Gila River attorney gives breakdown on opposition to Tohono O’odham casino (The Glendale Star 4/11) Related Stories:
Arizona tribes support bill that blocks gaming in Phoenix area (4/10)