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BARACK OBAMA
Private sector jobs, like those in gaming, have appropriations to Indian Country. However, She believes Class II gaming will continue to
decreased. Tahsuda explains that tribal casinos only be a battleground this year. Interim National
Traditionally Democratic, organized labor indirectly benefited because of improvements Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairman
represents some employee groups within the to roads and communities near their gaming George Skibine has decided to delay certain
casinos. They believed the rapid enactment of halls. Class II regulations until next fall.
their Employee Free Choice Act legislation “The National Congress of American Indians “The situation will continue simmering,
(also called “Card Check”) would eliminate the learned that federal money was available. They particularly watching how the State of Alabama
secret ballot for union organizing and mandate immediately submitted requests for funding of ultimately handles charitable bingo. Many of
additional bargaining regulations. their ‘shovel ready’ projects that were on hold the gaming manufacturers providing electronic
Nothing happened in 2009. Now a proposed for years,” Tahsuda says. bingo machines to the Alabama establishments
tax on healthcare benefits that could ultimately At the summit, NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens also market similar machines to the Tribal Class
affect millions of union members over the next Jr. addressed the crowd, saying, “President II market,” Staudenmaier says.
decade has frustrated union leaders who raised Obama is a man of his word. His dedication to Skibine will probably be replaced early this
hundreds of millions and campaigned to secure honor Indian sovereignty, his respect for our year. “George Skibine’s successor will have
Obama’s election. treaties and his actions towards developing a individual ideas regarding the direction of the
With such a scenario, is the Obama new nation-to-nation policy is a clear NIGC and tribal gaming in general. The new
Administration steering the country in the indication of that… Now it is up to us. Tribal Chair will likely shape the course of tribal
right direction? That depends on who answers leadership must embrace this partnership and gaming significantly in 2010,” Staudenmaier
the question. In numerous January surveys, build upon it together…” says.
Rasmussen Reports has concluded that Off-reservation gaming was a topic not
approximately 33% believe the US is headed in supported by the Bush Administration. In HOW ABOUT NEXT YEAR?
the right direction; 38% envision a stronger January 2008, the DOI issued its “Guidance on
economy in 2010. Taking Off-Reservation Land into Trust for Looking ahead, the Internet gaming issue
Gaming Purposes”. Rose says the guidelines remains unresolved, as it has for years. Rose
GAINING TRIBAL SUPPORT “killed” all pending proposals by requiring that believes that the current large Democratic
newly acquired land be within “commuting majorities could pass anything if motivated
The Obama Administration does enjoy high distance” of existing reservations. He says, “For example, a few in Washington,
approval ratings throughout Indian Country. Many observers anticipate that outreach D.C. care about Internet gaming. As a political
Obama appointed former Colorado Democratic from the Obama Administration may loosen the fluke that group includes Massachusetts
Senator Ken Salazar as the new Secretary of the application process for off-reservation tribal Democratic Congressman Barney Frank and the
Interior, whose job plays a role in tribal issues. gaming. Staudenmaier says, “Although the more powerful Democratic Senate Majority
For years, the National Indian Gaming Secretary of the Interior promised an imminent Leader, Harry Reid of Nevada.
Association (NIGA) had sought personal announcement since early fall, nothing Bills working their way through Congress
interaction with the White House. NIGA met materialized.” would allow foreign poker operators back in the
once with the Clinton Administration, but More than 30 land-into-trust applications US. These are really to let Nevada operators take
never with the Bush Administration. nationwide are pending review before the online bets throughout the country. The
On November 5, 2009, the White House Secretary. These diverse applications range Treasury and the Federal Reserve have already
conducted the first tribal summit since 1994. from Arizona to land overlooking San Francisco postponed implementing their Unlawful
Hundreds attended, including six Cabinet Bay and located in New York’s Catskill Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA)
members and numerous Congressional Mountains, plus numerous locations in regulations for six months.”
members. between. However, despite majorities, Fahrenkopf gives
John Tahsuda, vice president of Navigators “Look for a decision soon in 2010… whatever Internet gaming’s passage low odds. He says,
Global, a lobbying firm advocating Native ‘soon’ may mean,” Staudenmaier says. “Online gambling legislation will be discussed
American issues, says, “It did a good job of Pending legislation, named the “Carcieri Fix” on Capitol Hill, with little chance of legislation
including the heads of all key agencies. I would for Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri, passing in an election year.”
have preferred the grand optics of the White may affect the “reservation shopping” Rose recognizes the irony of the changing
House as the venue over the Department of the controversy. On February 24, 2009, the US political environment. “In the past, one sure
Interior (DOI) auditorium.” Supreme Court ruled for Rhode Island and way to lose reelection was the perception that a
Obama opened by signing a memorandum against the Narrangansett tribe, which received politician was tied in with gambling. Today,
that reinforced his commitment to the federal recognition in 1983. The decision stated expansion support wins votes. We have seen
November 2000 Executive Order 13175. The that tribes recognized after the federal 1934 more successful moves to expand gaming in the
Order requires regular federal consultation and Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) could not last two years than at any time in our history,”
collaboration with tribal officials to develop receive land-in-trust privileges, purchase land he states.
federal policies with tribal implications, while and gain sovereignty to then develop a casino. Has the economy really reached a tipping
strengthening government-to-government “Understandably, several tribes immediately point, offering states greater power? Rose
relationships between tribes and Washington. sought a ‘legislative fix’, supported by the believes it has because a jurisdiction’s financial
Obama then directed the Cabinet heads to Obama Administration. It is considering situation may have individual needs.
submit detailed plans to implement Executive alternatives if Congress does not act in 2010. “President Obama’s main role here is to stand
Order 13175 within 90 days. He also mandated However, many observers worry a ‘fix’ may try to back and let the states do whatever they can to
annual progress reports. completely overhaul the land-into-trust dig themselves out of their financial messes,”
The summit did promote the Administration’s regulations, doing more harm than good,” says Rose.
Stimulus Package up to $3 billion in Staudenmaier says. Hopefully, they can.
44 FEBRUARY 2010
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