Indian Gaming > Editorial: No breaks for Mississippi Choctaws

August 14, 2006

Editorial: No breaks for Mississippi Choctaws

Indianz.Com Casino Stalker
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"Mississippi's recovery from Hurricane Katrina and general economic expansion elsewhere in the state has attracted yet more strong interest in casino development - from five Native American tribes, four from outside Mississippi, plus the Mississippi Band of Choctaws, plus other non-Indian investment interests.

Almost everyone applauds the Mississippi Band of Choctaws for the economic progress it created for its members with the opening of large, popular profitable casinos on tribal lands.

However, off tribal lands the Choctaws should not receive any tax breaks or treatment not afforded all other approved casino enterprises.

The Choctaws' success on tribal lands also includes manufacturing and other commercial ventures. The tribe, by reputation, has become prosperous and strong in financial assets.

In the fully competitive private-sector world with other casinos it should pay the 12 percent tax exacted by the state and distributed in part to local government. It should not receive any breaks not available to all its competitors."

Get the Story:
EDITORIAL: Casino expansion (The Daily Journal 8/13)