Apr
22
2010
In her last blog post, Kathryn mentioned that it may be problematic that the latest compact between Florida and the Seminoles assigns revenue sharing payments to the state to the state's general treasury. Well, the temperature just got turned up on that potential problem. The U.S. Update From Florida: House and Senate Approve Compact
Apr
20
2010
Yesterday, the Florida state house approved the latest version of the state's compact with the Seminoles. A few days earlier, the state senate had voted in favor of the compact as well. By a vote of 29 to 9 in the Senate and 74 to 39 in the house, the state legislature gave its "thumbs up" to the Seminoles' exclusive right to operate table games at three of the tribe's casinos and slots in all of its casinos, in exchange for revenue-sharing payments to the state expected to reach as much as $1.5 billion over five years. The compact still needs to be signed by Gov. Crist, who, as the state negotiator of the new compact, is sure to do so shortly.No Rose-Colored Glasses for Mashantucket Pequot Chair
Apr
12
2010
Rodney Butler, the new council chair for the Mashantucket Pequots, predicts more tribal casino closures and defaults on debts as the recession continues.In an interview in Indian Country Today, Butler discussed the Pequots' restructuring of its own debt, as well as the tribe's downsized expansion plans. He also urged continued focus on economic diversification in tribal communities, even in the face of decreased gaming revenue.
Agreement in Florida?!?
Apr
6
2010
Looks like we've got a[nother] compact in Florida! But is it a good one?Any compact in Florida is a good compact. At least, that's our thinking as we near 20 years of controversy over tribal gaming in the state. This latest compact, borne out of the necessity of the Florida Supreme Court's invalidation of the existing compact, seems to strike a balance between a benefit to the state in the form of revenue sharing, and a benefit to the tribe in the form of exclusive gaming rights throughout the state. It's not all wrapped up in a ribbon, though -- it still needs to be approved by the state legislature, but insiders are optimistic.
Much Ado About "Little," & Steve's Quoted in ABC News Blog
Apr
3
2010
Last month, Interior Secretary Salazar tapped Daniel J. Little for the National Indian Gaming Commission, to finally fill the third seat on the Commission. But Little may not be writing a nice thank you note to the Secretary and the President anytime soon.Litigation Grab Bag
Mar
23
2010
This week's headlines have turned up a grab bag of litigation related to Indian gaming. Here's a sample, ranging from intratribal disputes over gaming revenue to local residents challenging the status of tribal lands to cheating in tribal casinos:Steve Quoted in Dallas Morning News & the Shreveport Rate Case
Mar
2
2010
Fans of constitutional law will recall the Shreveport Rate Case, a 1914 U.S. Supreme Court decision that expanded the reach of congressional power under the Commerce Clause. The case dealt with state rates for railway service in Texas and Louisiana, and Texas' efforts to favor Texas railways over those that serviced Shreveport. Well, Texas is in the middle of another kind of market competition, this time between riverboat casinos in Shreveport and tribal casinos in Oklahoma.