Mayor addresses Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino plans

Wednesday, April 11, 2012  

The mayor of Taunton, Massachusetts, issued an open letter about the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino.

Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. said the city is negotiating a "binding legal agreement" with the tribe that will contain a limited waiver of sovereign immunity. He said the agreement will be enforceable in state court.

The city has scheduled a June 9 election on the casino, as required by H.3702, the state's gaming law. If voters reject the casino, Hoye said he will oppose the tribe's land-into-trust application and ask Gov. Deval Patrick (D) to suspend Class III gaming compact negotiations.

Hoye's letter was written to address concerns about the non-binding June 9 vote. H.3702 doesn't say what happens if a host community rejects a casino.

Get the Story:
MAYOR'S LETTER: Taunton’s casino referendum an important step (The Taunton Daily Gazette 4/10)
Governor takes Middleboro’s request in dealing with Mashpee Wampanoag tribe under advisement (The Brockton Enterprise 4/11)

Related Stories:
Vote on casino projects not binding on Wampanoag tribes (4/10)