Brenda Commander, Chief of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, one of Maine’s four federally recognized tribes, commented that the rejected proposal for a tribal casino in the northern part of the state has widened the rift between the tribes and the Legislature.
Earlier this week, Senate members voted 18-16 against the casino bill, despite the fact that it was backed by the House last week. If it had been approved, the proposed legislation would have authorized the establishment of a casino, run by the state’s four tribes. The property would have been built in Aroostook or Washington Counties.
Ms. Commander said that the failed proposal has widened the rift between tribes and legislators, after the two parties had argued about fishing resources. Due to this, two of the tribes – the Passamaquoddy Indians and the Penobscot Nation pulled their members from the state Legislature.
Ms. Commander also pointed out that she and the other tribal chiefs might resort to other approaches in order to materialize their casino project. According to tribal officials, the process concerning the bill’s potential passage was not “what they wanted to see.”
If it had been signed into law, the proposed legislation would have allowed for a Casino Development Commission to be established. The newly created regulator would have been given the responsibility to accept bids from gambling operators for the casino license.
Rep. Diane Russell (D-Portland), the bill’s sponsor, said that she was disappointed the proposal did not pass the Senate. She also pointed out that House representatives believed it was about time for a tribal casino to be authorized.
Currently, there are two operating casinos in Maine – Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway in Bangor and Oxford Casino in Oxford. Dan Cashman, spokesperson for Hollywood Casino, commented that any expansion of the state casino industry should lead to a reduction in taxes that operators have been imposed. In addition, all proposed gaming facilities should be subject to approval from both legislators and host communities.
Maine lawmakers are currently discussing another bill that would authorize the construction of a casino in the southern part of the state. Rep. Russell that this project is not a tribal one. The proposed legislation is expected to enter the Senate sometime next week.
