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FEBRUARY 15, 2001

House Speaker Ben Lujan and Senate President Pro Tem Richard Romero have written Gov. Gary Johnson and are formally requesting he participate in negotiations for a new compact with the state's 12 gaming tribes.

The two lawmakers say the Legislature is ready to negotiate and they would act on an agreement if Johnson makes one with the tribes. The tribes are currently subject to compacts made in 1997 but they have stopped paying the 16 percent revenue sharing rate because they say its too high. One resolution is a compact which caps the rate at 8 percent.

As a result they are being sued by Attorney General Patricia Madrid. She said if the tribes want to negotiate compacts or settle her lawsuit, they have to make back payments. So far only two have agreed to do so, but only if half the money goes to Indian education.

Both the Senate and the House have passed nonbinding resolutions asking Johnson to begin negotiations.

Get the Story:
Top 2 Democrats Want Johnson in on Casino Talks (The Albuquerque Journal 2/15)
Senate Backs Gaming Talks (AP 2/14)

Relevant Links:
Attorney General, New Mexico - www.ago.state.nm.us

Related Stories:
NM Tribes ordered to make casino payments (2/14)
NM Tribes may get new compacts (Money Matters 2/13)