Tribes are amassing some high-powered lobbying teams in hopes of approving or defeating deals for Catskills casinos.

Gov. George Pataki (R) has reached settlements with two New York tribes and three out-of-state tribes. The deals need state and federal approval, so tribes are already starting to lobby lawmakers in Albany and in Washington, D.C. One tribe, the Stockbridge-Munsee Band from Wisconsin, has hired Bradford Card, brother of White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card.

The Oneida Nation of New York and the Seneca Nation of New York are on the other side of the debate. They don't want out-of-state tribes asserting rights in New York.

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Tribes tout casinos as windfall for state (The Albany Times-Union 12/14)