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FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2003

A California tribe donated $100,000 to the Republican Party in order to lobby Secretary of Interior Gale Norton on land-into-trust regulations that she rescinded.

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians sent the check in July 2001. Chairman Richard Milanovich was worried that Norton wasn't hearing the tribal point of view on the regulations. Apparently, the requested meeting never happened.

But in January 2002, Milanovich did meet with Norton during one of her visits to southern California. When she was speaking with reporters, he praised her for taking "positive steps," the Associated Press said.

The land-into-trust regulations, which were adopted at the end of the Clinton administration after intense consultation with Indian Country, were pulled back by Norton in spring of 2001. The matter was then given to former assistant secretary Neal McCaleb when he came on board in July. He eventually rescinded them in November 2001.

Get the Story:
Tribal Donation to GOP Draws Attention (AP 5/29)
Tribe, GOP deny pay for play (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 5/30)

Relevant Links:
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians - http://www.aguacaliente.org

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Land-into-trust regulations not on Bush agenda (04/11)
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Calif. tribe paid $100K to meet Norton (12/12)
Land still in limbo after decade-long fight (10/16)
The day the Supreme Court said no (10/16)
McCaleb reopens controversial gaming debate (1/2)
McCaleb revokes trust land standards (11/9)
Focus on trust reform leaves estate on sideline (03/12)
Land regulations targeted for withdrawal (8/13)
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