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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2001

Seneca Nation President Cyrus Schindler on Tuesday said tribal members won't be forced to approve a gaming compact with the state of New York if and when state legislators say negotiations can continue.

Schindler said he expects the Assembly to vote by August 7 on the matter. After that, he said the tribe will hold more meetings to inform members of the compact.

The tribe and Governor George Pataki (R) have agreed to a 14-year compact to open as many as three casinos. But to finalize the deal, they need the State Legislature's approval.

The Senate approved moving forward but Democrats in the Assmebly are holding up the deal, saying they want to make sure labor unions are allowed at the casinos and on the tribe's reservation.

Tribal members are to vote in a referendum whether they want to accept the finalized compact.

Get the Story:
Senecas hold final informational meeting on casino agreement (AP 7/31)

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