Jan
29
2010
The Cape Cod Times reports that the Mashpee Wampanoag may be looking at a new community partner for an off-reservation casino: Fall River, a community hard hit by unemployment.Archive - Jan 2010 - Blog entry
January 29th
January 27th
Perspectives from Florida
Jan
27
2010
An editorial in the Tampa Tribune takes Florida's legislature to task for failing to approve the revised compact negotiated between the Seminoles and Gov. Charlie Crist. And rightly so -- as we've said numerous times, Florida's continued obstructionism flies in the face of IGRA's requirements and Congress's intent, not to mention tribal sovereignty and respectful government-to-government relations.But it seems to always be about money, rather than legal duties, mutual respect, or even what's right.
January 22nd
U.S. Supreme Court and Campaign Finance
Jan
22
2010
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court reached a decision in the much-anticipated case about corporate spending on political campaigns. The facts centered on the infamous "Hillary: The Movie," but the case raised significant issues about campaign financing generally and the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law.By 5-4 vote, the landmark decision overturned federal laws that limited corporations' ability to fund political campaign ads. The Court's decision also will allow labor unions to spend more on political campaigns. The Court upheld a ban prohibiting corporations and unions from directly contributing funds to candidates for any use.
January 21st
Senate Upset in Massachusetts
Jan
21
2010
To follow up on our last post, Tuesday's surprise was that Republican Scott Brown was elected to fill Ted Kennedy's Senate seat in Massachusetts. Brown took 52 percent of the vote in an overwhelmingly Democratic state, an upset over Democrat Martha Coakley. Brown, a state senator, became known for driving around in a pickup truck and cast himself as the "people's" candidate, especially on issues related to the economy. The election, of course, speaks to public satisfaction with the Obama administration, but from where we sit, it eventually will speak to the status of tribes and tribal sovereignty in Massachusetts and across the country. January 19th
Kathryn Quoted on Massachusetts Senate Race
Jan
19
2010
Voters in Massachusetts will elect a new senator today to fill the remaining term of Ted Kennedy, which expires in November 2012. Most commentators have cast the election as about national health care reform, but folks in Massachusetts know that the outcome will affect a host of other issues. One of those issues is intergovernmental relations with tribes, including Indian gaming. Here's what Kathryn had to say:"Typically our officials have known very little about tribes, about the law that relates to tribes, and about good policy that relates to Indian gaming. Much of the controversy about Indian gaming reflects that lack of understanding."
January 15th
Florida Legislature Rejects Compact
Jan
15
2010
A special committee of the Florida House of Representatives rejected the new compact negotiated by the Seminoles and Gov. Crist. The decision marks a possible turning point in Florida tribal-state politics. Up until now, the tribe has been open to renegotiating what, at least arguably, should have been a done deal -- the long-delayed and duly-entered-into compact that was called into question by the Florida Supreme Court.January 12th
Back from Break
Jan
12
2010
We're back from our holiday break, which included a week at the Encore in Las Vegas. Fantastic spa! No need to go outside to get to the Wynn buffet! And the pool was not crowded at all in December . . . not everyone has the hardy nature of a North Dakotan. After all, 40 degrees is about 70 degrees higher than our temps in Grand Forks last week. And as the "Asian Rain" signature scent of the Wynn casino dissipates, we'll be back to blogging . . . . 