Gaming proposal moving forward despite opposition

[NVMojo]

Monday, January 16, 2006

The Bush administration is moving forward with its controversial gaming legislation despite overwhelming opposition from Indian Country.

After just three meetings, the Department of Justice is closing the comment period on the proposal to amend the Johnson Act at the end of this month. Officials will then review the comments, make changes and search for a Capitol Hill sponsor to introduce the bill by March or April.

"I don't think we're going to have a problem since Sen. McCain tasked us," Doug Crow, an attorney with DOJ's criminal division, said at the Western Indian Gaming Conference in Palm Springs last Thursday.

The swift action, coming three months after the legislation was unveiled to the public and four months after it was announced in Las Vegas, brought criticism from tribal leaders and their representatives. At the conference, they repeatedly blasted the administration, saying the proposal would dramatically hurt the $19 billion Indian gaming industry and the jobs, revenues and other benefits casinos have generated.

more...

http://www.indianz.com/News/2006/012027.asp

[Ready4Change]

1. Any connections to the Abramoff investigation?

Could this be a threat to the tribes, telling them that if they rat out the RNC then this administration is well prepared to yank away the casinos?

[NVMojo]

2. hmmmm, the timing of this is certainly interesting ...in light of Abramoff

issues and timeline ...you may be on to something...