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Showing posts with label Narrangansett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Narrangansett. Show all posts
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Carcieri Fix NOT Passed in Senate--Charlestown Spared Casino
This from the Charlestown Citizens Alliance --
Sunday, April 8, 2012
The Mashpee Wampanoag Pipe Dream in San Diego
Wampanoag leaders in San Diego to chart future
By George Brennan
April 03, 2012
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Getting land into federal trust remains one of the key hurdles for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's pursuit of an Indian casino, but legal experts say it's far from insurmountable.
The National Indian Gaming Association is hosting its annual convention and trade show in San Diego through Wednesday.
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council Chairman Cedric Cromwell, Treasurer Mark Harding and several members of the tribe's legal team are attending the conference, which features workshops in all aspects of Indian casinos, from intergovernmental agreements to what types of betting to offer.
In the lobby of the San Diego Convention Center, Cromwell exchanged well-wishes from other tribal leaders from across the country and was interrupted several times by business card-toting men and women interested in doing business with the tribe.
Despite the tribe's tight deadline of July 31 to negotiate a compact with Massachusetts for an Indian casino, Cromwell said it's important to keep up with what's happening in the Indian casino industry and that's why he's here.
"You're going to get all the latest and greatest information here," Cromwell said. "You're going to meet the people with the Department of the Interior that are working on (regulations) and policies, so you're getting all the information firsthand, so it's important to be here."
Land into trust
Cromwell and Harding attended a session on the process for getting land into trust and what some of the legal impediments are to that process — chief among them the 2009 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court known as Carcieri v. Salazar.
In that ruling, the court questioned the Interior Department's authority to take land into trust for the Narragansett Tribe in Rhode Island because the tribe's federal recognition came after the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. That ruling stalled land-into-trust applications for other tribes, which now have to undergo a "Carcieri analysis," a Bureau of Indian Affairs official said during the workshop.
But while Carcieri can be used to delay a project like the Mashpee tribe's plans for a casino in Taunton, it's not likely to block it completely based on comments by legal experts during the session.
Though she never mentioned the Mashpee Wampanoag specifically, Judith Shapiro, an attorney for the tribe and a speaker during the session, said opponents to Indian casinos latched on to the Carcieri decision to slow the process down, but decisions by the federal government offer tribes hope.
The Interior Department has taken land into trust for the Cowlitz Tribe in Washington state since the high court decision, she said. That trust land is tied up in legal challenges, but ultimately Shapiro believes the courts will find federally recognized tribes had relationships with the federal government before 1934.
In the case of the Narragansett tribe, she said, the tribe conceded they had never been under federal jurisdiction.
What this means for the Mashpee tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), which is pursuing an Indian casino in Freetown, Lakeville or Fall River, is that if they can meet other elements of their July 31 deadline imposed by the state, they will be able to demonstrate through legal opinions that land into trust remains a real possibility.
If the state gaming commission were to determine otherwise, the Southeastern Massachusetts casino license would be put out to competitive bid.
The Aquinnah tribe is not represented at the convention, but a law firm representing it is in San Diego, spokesman James McManus said in an email.
The Carcieri fix [Ignoring the Hawaii SCOTUS decision!]
Meanwhile, Loretta Tuell, chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Daniel Kahikina Akaka, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said his office continues to push for congressional action, a so-called "Carcieri fix" and has undertaken a study to show the ramifications the court ruling is having on tribes not just in economic development, but housing, education and health care.
Tuell, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, said: "We need to learn how to message the issue. Land is fundamental to who we are as people."
There can't be two classes of tribes — some blessed with land and others without, Tuell said.
Cromwell liked what he heard during the land-into-trust session. "It's rewarding and fulfilling to hear what we've always known," Cromwell said. Tribes need land to practice self-determination and self-governance and the Mashpee tribe is seeking to put land into trust in Mashpee and Taunton [and Middleboro and Fall River and...the endless list, even though only Mashpee was listed on the application for recognition] as an initial reservation, he said.
"It's not just about gaming," Cromwell said. "It's about land."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By George Brennan
April 03, 2012
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Getting land into federal trust remains one of the key hurdles for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's pursuit of an Indian casino, but legal experts say it's far from insurmountable.
The National Indian Gaming Association is hosting its annual convention and trade show in San Diego through Wednesday.
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council Chairman Cedric Cromwell, Treasurer Mark Harding and several members of the tribe's legal team are attending the conference, which features workshops in all aspects of Indian casinos, from intergovernmental agreements to what types of betting to offer.
In the lobby of the San Diego Convention Center, Cromwell exchanged well-wishes from other tribal leaders from across the country and was interrupted several times by business card-toting men and women interested in doing business with the tribe.
Despite the tribe's tight deadline of July 31 to negotiate a compact with Massachusetts for an Indian casino, Cromwell said it's important to keep up with what's happening in the Indian casino industry and that's why he's here.
"You're going to get all the latest and greatest information here," Cromwell said. "You're going to meet the people with the Department of the Interior that are working on (regulations) and policies, so you're getting all the information firsthand, so it's important to be here."
Land into trust
Cromwell and Harding attended a session on the process for getting land into trust and what some of the legal impediments are to that process — chief among them the 2009 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court known as Carcieri v. Salazar.
In that ruling, the court questioned the Interior Department's authority to take land into trust for the Narragansett Tribe in Rhode Island because the tribe's federal recognition came after the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. That ruling stalled land-into-trust applications for other tribes, which now have to undergo a "Carcieri analysis," a Bureau of Indian Affairs official said during the workshop.
But while Carcieri can be used to delay a project like the Mashpee tribe's plans for a casino in Taunton, it's not likely to block it completely based on comments by legal experts during the session.
Though she never mentioned the Mashpee Wampanoag specifically, Judith Shapiro, an attorney for the tribe and a speaker during the session, said opponents to Indian casinos latched on to the Carcieri decision to slow the process down, but decisions by the federal government offer tribes hope.
The Interior Department has taken land into trust for the Cowlitz Tribe in Washington state since the high court decision, she said. That trust land is tied up in legal challenges, but ultimately Shapiro believes the courts will find federally recognized tribes had relationships with the federal government before 1934.
In the case of the Narragansett tribe, she said, the tribe conceded they had never been under federal jurisdiction.
What this means for the Mashpee tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), which is pursuing an Indian casino in Freetown, Lakeville or Fall River, is that if they can meet other elements of their July 31 deadline imposed by the state, they will be able to demonstrate through legal opinions that land into trust remains a real possibility.
If the state gaming commission were to determine otherwise, the Southeastern Massachusetts casino license would be put out to competitive bid.
The Aquinnah tribe is not represented at the convention, but a law firm representing it is in San Diego, spokesman James McManus said in an email.
The Carcieri fix [Ignoring the Hawaii SCOTUS decision!]
Meanwhile, Loretta Tuell, chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Daniel Kahikina Akaka, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said his office continues to push for congressional action, a so-called "Carcieri fix" and has undertaken a study to show the ramifications the court ruling is having on tribes not just in economic development, but housing, education and health care.
Tuell, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, said: "We need to learn how to message the issue. Land is fundamental to who we are as people."
There can't be two classes of tribes — some blessed with land and others without, Tuell said.
Cromwell liked what he heard during the land-into-trust session. "It's rewarding and fulfilling to hear what we've always known," Cromwell said. Tribes need land to practice self-determination and self-governance and the Mashpee tribe is seeking to put land into trust in Mashpee and Taunton [and Middleboro and Fall River and...the endless list, even though only Mashpee was listed on the application for recognition] as an initial reservation, he said.
"It's not just about gaming," Cromwell said. "It's about land."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Dan Lawlor: Casinos are a Bad Bet for Rhode Island
Dan Lawlor: Casinos are a Bad Bet for Rhode Island
Daniel Lawlor, GoLocalProv Guest MINDSETTER™
The Republican Primary in Florida brought to light much about that state's high unemployment rate, and some mention of the struggles in its cities for quality education. Similar to nearby Massachusetts, the lure of casino revenue is a hot topic in Florida, as it is here in RI. Yet, gambling seems a questionable economic path. Mississippi has Casino gambling - and on so many levels ranks among the last in quality of life surveys among the states.
As of fall 2011, Mississippi and Florida had unemployment rates of 10.5 and 10% respectively. Those numbers were despite an attractive climate, tourism, and lower tax rates. For the record, as of 2005, Mississippi's overall high school graduation rate was somewhere around 61%.ambling doesn't solve long standing issues of poor economy, limited skills, and corruption.
We hear politicians wail about casino gambling in Massachusetts. We hear about the need to allow smoking inside state -run gambling facilities - of the necessity to turn the state facilities into full-fledged casinos. Aside from the hypocrisy of saying it’s okay for the state to operate a gambling facility but not the Narragansett tribe, in either case, it's poor economic strategy!
Won’t Help Old Mill Towns
As proposals are bandied about for expanding state-run gambling, I think of some of the forgotten cities in this fine state, places like Woonsocket, Central Falls, and West Warwick. Those cities, like Lawrence or Holyoke in Massachusetts, developed out of the mill industry. Without those industries, these cities are struggling. Expanded gambling in Lincoln or Newport won't reverse overall unemployment, raise graduation, or diversify the economies of those old mill towns. The state's continuing cuts to housing and higher education programs won't help these cities.
I am at times perplexed by the economic state of Woonsocket. It is the headquarters of CVS, a major retailer. Certainly, couldn't some of the storefronts of downtown Woonsocket been a base for some CVS operations? Wouldn't the move of a corporate headquarters downtown spur restaurants, clothing shops, gadget stores, art galleries - perhaps even a hotel or two? Why is CVS' headquarters on the outskirts of the city - I understand the ease of highway access, but at the same time, it seems like a poor design for a city's growth.
Downtown Woonsocket is full of empty store fronts and beautiful architecture. When Woonsocket has a full rebirth, it will be dynamic. There are classic stand-bys - the Stadium Theater and Chan's. There are new comers -the Museum of Work and Culture and Riverzedge. These organizations help create a buzz. Large corporate citizens should be engaged to mutually benefit the city and state. Building economies off existing assets - and creating new ones - will spur innovation. Gambling doesn't seem to have the same positive effects on a region as a diverse economy.
Not a Solution
Mississippi still struggles with education and economics, despite its casinos. Bridgeport CT still struggles with education and economics, despite having Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods just down the road. Florida's low tax rate did not prevent it from experiencing recession, and I doubt that a Casino in Miami or Orlando will stave off the current one. Underlying problems - including education quality and lack of a diverse economy - have caused that populous state with nice weather to suffer challenges of unemployment, much as we do here.
Some have proposed gambling casinos as a solution to Florida's crisis - as many propose gambling revenue to be Rhode Island's cure all (or the cure all for Fall River). Instead of expanding gambling, how about expanding job training, have streamlined, fair small business taxes, and work to allow as many RI's as possible to become local entreprenuers? How about engaging corporations to become more strategic partners in developing the city, thus contributing to their own quality of life?
Corporate or State Run gambling does not seem to improve the lot of most New England mill towns. Being strategic with the assets already available in each city just might.
Daniel Lawlor, GoLocalProv Guest MINDSETTER™
The Republican Primary in Florida brought to light much about that state's high unemployment rate, and some mention of the struggles in its cities for quality education. Similar to nearby Massachusetts, the lure of casino revenue is a hot topic in Florida, as it is here in RI. Yet, gambling seems a questionable economic path. Mississippi has Casino gambling - and on so many levels ranks among the last in quality of life surveys among the states.
As of fall 2011, Mississippi and Florida had unemployment rates of 10.5 and 10% respectively. Those numbers were despite an attractive climate, tourism, and lower tax rates. For the record, as of 2005, Mississippi's overall high school graduation rate was somewhere around 61%.ambling doesn't solve long standing issues of poor economy, limited skills, and corruption.
We hear politicians wail about casino gambling in Massachusetts. We hear about the need to allow smoking inside state -run gambling facilities - of the necessity to turn the state facilities into full-fledged casinos. Aside from the hypocrisy of saying it’s okay for the state to operate a gambling facility but not the Narragansett tribe, in either case, it's poor economic strategy!
Won’t Help Old Mill Towns
As proposals are bandied about for expanding state-run gambling, I think of some of the forgotten cities in this fine state, places like Woonsocket, Central Falls, and West Warwick. Those cities, like Lawrence or Holyoke in Massachusetts, developed out of the mill industry. Without those industries, these cities are struggling. Expanded gambling in Lincoln or Newport won't reverse overall unemployment, raise graduation, or diversify the economies of those old mill towns. The state's continuing cuts to housing and higher education programs won't help these cities.
I am at times perplexed by the economic state of Woonsocket. It is the headquarters of CVS, a major retailer. Certainly, couldn't some of the storefronts of downtown Woonsocket been a base for some CVS operations? Wouldn't the move of a corporate headquarters downtown spur restaurants, clothing shops, gadget stores, art galleries - perhaps even a hotel or two? Why is CVS' headquarters on the outskirts of the city - I understand the ease of highway access, but at the same time, it seems like a poor design for a city's growth.
Downtown Woonsocket is full of empty store fronts and beautiful architecture. When Woonsocket has a full rebirth, it will be dynamic. There are classic stand-bys - the Stadium Theater and Chan's. There are new comers -the Museum of Work and Culture and Riverzedge. These organizations help create a buzz. Large corporate citizens should be engaged to mutually benefit the city and state. Building economies off existing assets - and creating new ones - will spur innovation. Gambling doesn't seem to have the same positive effects on a region as a diverse economy.
Not a Solution
Mississippi still struggles with education and economics, despite its casinos. Bridgeport CT still struggles with education and economics, despite having Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods just down the road. Florida's low tax rate did not prevent it from experiencing recession, and I doubt that a Casino in Miami or Orlando will stave off the current one. Underlying problems - including education quality and lack of a diverse economy - have caused that populous state with nice weather to suffer challenges of unemployment, much as we do here.
Some have proposed gambling casinos as a solution to Florida's crisis - as many propose gambling revenue to be Rhode Island's cure all (or the cure all for Fall River). Instead of expanding gambling, how about expanding job training, have streamlined, fair small business taxes, and work to allow as many RI's as possible to become local entreprenuers? How about engaging corporations to become more strategic partners in developing the city, thus contributing to their own quality of life?
Corporate or State Run gambling does not seem to improve the lot of most New England mill towns. Being strategic with the assets already available in each city just might.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
People realize casino gambling is not economic development."
"Critics of the referendum note that Rhode Island voters have defeated attempts to authorize casinos in the Ocean State before, most recently in 2006 when voters turned down the Narragansett Indian Tribe's request to open a casino. State law requires voter approval of casinos.
"Every time this comes up it's rejected," said state Rep. Michael Marcello, D-Scituate. "At some point you have to respect the will of the voters. I think our time would be better spent trying to find other ways to bring more high paying jobs into the state."
A leading opponent of casinos in Rhode Island said the measures fail because voters don't believe the rosy predictions made by casino supporters. Rev. Eugene McKenna, president of Citizens Concerned About Casino Gambling, said a casino is more likely to increase gambling addiction than cure the state's fiscal woes.
"The people of Rhode Island see it's a false hope," he told The Associated Press. "So many people know somebody whose life has been ruined or seriously harmed by addiction. People realize casino gambling is not economic development."
From:
RI slot parlor taking a chance with voters
By DAVID KLEPPER
"Every time this comes up it's rejected," said state Rep. Michael Marcello, D-Scituate. "At some point you have to respect the will of the voters. I think our time would be better spent trying to find other ways to bring more high paying jobs into the state."
A leading opponent of casinos in Rhode Island said the measures fail because voters don't believe the rosy predictions made by casino supporters. Rev. Eugene McKenna, president of Citizens Concerned About Casino Gambling, said a casino is more likely to increase gambling addiction than cure the state's fiscal woes.
"The people of Rhode Island see it's a false hope," he told The Associated Press. "So many people know somebody whose life has been ruined or seriously harmed by addiction. People realize casino gambling is not economic development."
From:
RI slot parlor taking a chance with voters
By DAVID KLEPPER
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