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JUNE 14, 2000

On Tuesday, the New York Senate unanimously approved a bill that would give legislators the final say on off-reservation casinos, barring the governor from entering into compacts with tribes in the state without legislative approval. Residents of the county in which a casino is proposed would also vote on the issue and the governor can't proceed without a favorable vote.

The bill must pass the Assembly before reaching Govenor George Pataki. Pataki called for a similar bill, but this bill does not include legalization of slot machines. Pataki said he was concered about the omission.

The casino proposal by the St Regis Mohawk tribe of New York may be affected by this bill. The tribe is already under scrutiny due to questions surrounding the tribe's new gaming partner, Park Place Entertainment.

A similar bill introduced in the Assembly was pulled after lobbyists from Park Place and officials from Sullivan County, where the proposed casino would be located, argued against it.

Get the Story:
Senate confirms Pataki's racing- board nominee (The Albany Times-Union 6/14)
State Senate passes casino gambling bill (AP 6/13)

Related Stories:
New York wants say on casinos (Money Matters 6/13)
Mohawk deal crucial for tribe (Money Matters 05/03)

Editorial:
Not All Mohawks Applaud Monticello Casino Plans (Doug George-Kanentiio. The Talking Circle. 4/17)