"The chief counsel to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was meeting with Interior Department officials who are soon expected to be asked by Kansas to formally ratify the state's proposed casino deal with two Kansas tribes.

It's almost a sure thing the Interior Department will have the document by Thanksgiving. The agency's decision could come anytime thereafter, and that timing may depend largely on today's presidential balloting.

If Democrat John Kerry wins, tribal gaming proposals pending around the nation could be put on hold until a new interior secretary and tribal affairs management team is in place and brought up to speed.

If President Bush wins a second term, Interior Secretary Gale Norton could use the Kansas compact to send a message nationwide on the administration's future intentions regarding similar off-reservation casino proposals.

Norton has gone on record in a few other cases with sharp criticism of �reservation shopping� by mostly rural reservation tribes eyeing urban casino sites. Kansas poses no easy decision for Norton."

Get the Story:
Rick Alm: Kansas officials prepare to pitch casino plan (The Kansas City Star 11/2)
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