Kempthorne threatens Oneida Nation over compact

Tuesday, March 20, 2007  

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne is threatening to take action against the Oneida Nation of New York unless it negotiates a new compact with the state.

Kempthorne said the tribe and the state have until April 30 to begin negotiations. Otherwise, he said the Interior Department will reconsider the status of the Turning Stone Resort & Casino can stay open.

"The department does not take lightly the decision to reconsider a compact," wrote Larry Jensen, a deputy solicitor, in a letter to the tribe and the state that was obtained by The Albany Times-Union. "This is the first time the department has taken this step."

The tribe signed a compact with former governor Mario Cuomo but it was struck down in the courts because it did not receive state legislative approval. Nation representative Ray Halbritter and Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) met on Monday to discuss a new deal.

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Gambling compact is on the line (The Albany Times-Union 3/20)