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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2003

Former Idaho attorney general Alan Lance, who fought tribes in his state on land claims, taxation, gaming, and other issues, was nominated by President Bush on Tuesday to a court position affecting veterans.

As the state's top law enforcer, Lance frequently opposed tribes but almost always lost. His biggest defeat was when the Supreme Court upheld the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's ownership of the southern third of Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Another key case was his attempt to impose a gas tax on tribes. After the Idaho courts struck down the tax, Lance asked the Supreme Court to reinstate it but was rebuffed. A federal court judge has since sided with the tribes.

Lance opposed expanded gaming in the state but tribes succeeded in a political campaign to legalize Class III machines. He also sought to diminish the borders of the Nez Perce Reservation but lost at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Nominated for a post on the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Lance would not hear any cases affecting tribal rights.

Relevant Documents:
Nominations 1 | Nominations 2

Relevant Links:
Coeur d'Alene Tribe - http://www.cdatribe.com
Nez Perce Tribe - http://www.nezperce.org
Shoshone-Bannock Nation - http://www.sho-ban.com

Related Stories:
Idaho tribes headed to win on gaming (11/06)
Idaho tribes score another victory (8/29)
Idaho tribes score victory with tax ruling (08/20)
Coeur d'Alene Tribe wins lake ownership case (6/19)
Supreme Court to rule on lake ownership (12/13)
Supreme Court hears lake ownership case today (4/23)
Supreme Court declines Nez Perce case (2/27)
Idaho seeks jurisdiction over reservation (2/19)
Court upholds Nez Perce treaty (7/31)