Lawmakers fast track tribal casino deal

BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) - A gaming deal negotiated between the Patrick administration and a Native American tribe in the southeast region of the state, is moving through the Legislature on the fast track. The Legislature’s economic development committee advanced the “casino compact” Monday so that it could be debated in the House and Senate as early as Wednesday. 

“We feel good about the compact and we’re glad that the southeast region is now first in line for a gaming facility to move forward,” said Governor Deval Patrick’s Chief of Staff Mo Cowan.

The agreement must be approved by the Legislature, then the federal government.  Opponents fear the deal will be tied up on the federal level, that the federal government won’t grant the tribe land-in-trust to build a casino, which means a long wait for much needed jobs in southeastern Massachusetts.

“There might not be any timely resolution to the land-in-trust issue for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe,” said Rep. Robert Koczera (D-New Bedford), after proposing a failed amendment to the compact that would allow the Massachusetts Gaming Commission issue a commercial license in the region if the federal government does not approve land-in-trust for the tribe by August 1, 2014.

Rep. Keiko Orrall (R-Lakeville) testified against the casino compact, arguing that the tribe will be delayed because of a 2009 Supreme Court decision involving a similar compact between Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri and the Narragansett tribe.  In that case it was decided that the federal government could only take land into trust for tribes that were “under federal jurisdiction” in 1934 when Congress enacted the Indian Reorganization Act.

“It’s not going to move forward with the land-in-trust because of the Carcieri decision and because this was not a federally recognized tribe before 1934,” said Orrall.

But lawmakers say if the state issues a commercial casino license in southeastern Massachusetts, the Mashpee Wampanoags will eventually get federal approval and build a casino anyway – which could mean 4 casinos in Massachusetts.  

“Our tribal government seeks to operate this resort casino because just like you in state government, we, in tribal government, have a duty to provide for and care for our people,” said Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Chairman Cedric Cromwell.