Opinion: Republicans will block Tohono O'odham Nation casino

Construction crews at work at  the West Valley Resort near Glendale, Arizona
Construction crews at work at the West Valley Resort in Glendale, Arizona. Image from Facebook

Sal DiCiccio, a city council member in Phoenix, Arizona, believes the Republican-controlled Congress will approve a bill to Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino:
Thankfully, our Arizona congressional delegation has proposed legislation to close the loopholes to prohibit any new casinos from being built right here in Maricopa County until at least 2027, which is when the tribal gaming compacts expire and Arizona citizens next have the ability to decide whether or not to expand gaming in our state. Senators McCain and Flake have sponsored the Keep the Promise Act (S 152) in the U.S. Senate while Congressmen Franks and others have s sponsored the identical bill (HR 308) in the U.S. House.

Congressman David Schweikert has also been outstanding. During my D.C. visit, he took me down near the House floor as he worked the issue with other congressional leaders. He took the problem right to the top of the leadership chain.

This time things will be different. In past congressional sessions, this same bill was presented only to be stopped by the Democrat-led Senate. With a Republican majority now in the U.S. Senate, it is very likely to pass.

Get the Story:
Pat DiCiccio: Ariz. congressional delegation proposes legislation to close loopholes in new casinos until 2027 (The Ahwatukee Foothills News 2/22)

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Tohono O'odham Nation casino won't invoke compact provision (02/09)

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