Tribe and state gaming commission go head to head over Southeastern MA casino territory
Opening shot of the new Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe commercial threatening the state with a loss of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs if the gaming commission opens the Southeastern region. Screen capture from video.
Wampanoags release commercial, commission releases statement
Article | | By Maggie Kulbokas
After getting most of their federal ducks in a row and negotiating and renegotiating percentages with Governor Deval Patrick, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe probably thought they had their proposed Taunton casino in the bag. But a recent announcement by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission that they are considering opening the Southeastern Massachusetts region to commercial bidders has worked the tribe into a lather. The commission is expected to vote later this week on whether or not they will stay the course as outlined in the November 2011 gaming law giving the Mashpee Wampanoag the sole rights to the region.
This weekend, both are pointing fingers and blaming the other for a slow moving process.
The tribe took to cable this weekend airing their complaints and concerns about the commission and what the tribe considers a problem with transparency. They also predict dire consequences for the commonwealth if the gaming commission succeeds in opening the Southeastern region to a commercial venture.
In a statement released by the Tribe, Chairman Cedric Cromwell said, "The public has a right to know what will happen if the Gaming Commission continues their rush to disadvantage the Tribe. The state’s own experts warned of disastrous effects if the state and the Tribe don’t work together.”
Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby released his own statement Sunday night, "The Commission is keenly aware that the Commonwealth’s expanded gaming legislation contemplated only one casino in Region C. But it is equally true that the legislation did not contemplate Region C being left in a state of extended uncertainty while the other regions moved forward. Reconciling these two competing public policy goals fairly is the challenge the Commission is now trying to meet."
According to Crosby, the commission is considering opening the bids to commercial ventures as the Tribe awaits its land in trust. The commission would then consider both the commercial options and the Tribe's project if and when land in trust is granted.
The next Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting concerning Region C (the SE region) will be this Thursday.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's video is below. In the video, the Tribe claims the decision to open Region C will cost the Commonwealth millions of dollars and thousands of jobs.
http://www.capecodtoday.com/article/2013/04/15/18218-tribe-and-state-gaming-commission-go-head-head-over-southeastern-ma-casino-
This weekend, both are pointing fingers and blaming the other for a slow moving process.
The tribe took to cable this weekend airing their complaints and concerns about the commission and what the tribe considers a problem with transparency. They also predict dire consequences for the commonwealth if the gaming commission succeeds in opening the Southeastern region to a commercial venture.
In a statement released by the Tribe, Chairman Cedric Cromwell said, "The public has a right to know what will happen if the Gaming Commission continues their rush to disadvantage the Tribe. The state’s own experts warned of disastrous effects if the state and the Tribe don’t work together.”
Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby released his own statement Sunday night, "The Commission is keenly aware that the Commonwealth’s expanded gaming legislation contemplated only one casino in Region C. But it is equally true that the legislation did not contemplate Region C being left in a state of extended uncertainty while the other regions moved forward. Reconciling these two competing public policy goals fairly is the challenge the Commission is now trying to meet."
According to Crosby, the commission is considering opening the bids to commercial ventures as the Tribe awaits its land in trust. The commission would then consider both the commercial options and the Tribe's project if and when land in trust is granted.
The next Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting concerning Region C (the SE region) will be this Thursday.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's video is below. In the video, the Tribe claims the decision to open Region C will cost the Commonwealth millions of dollars and thousands of jobs.
http://www.capecodtoday.com/article/2013/04/15/18218-tribe-and-state-gaming-commission-go-head-head-over-southeastern-ma-casino-
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