(Deming) – The New Mexico Senate has approved a proposal that would allow a handful of Native American tribes to continue with their gambling operation but excludes the Fort Sill Apache tribe.
Gov. Susana Martinez's office has spent three years working with the tribes to craft a new gambling compact since existing agreements are set to expire in June.
Supporters say the compact would bring stability to New Mexico's gaming industry, protect jobs and increase revenues to the state.
But some lawmakers said they couldn't support the measure because it would exclude the Fort Sill Apache tribe’s land in Luna County that was put into federal trust in 2002.
Under a provision in the compact, tribes wanting to put a casino on land acquired after 1988 would have to negotiate separately with the state.
Meanwhile, the State Supreme Court ordered Gov. Martinez to respond to a lawsuit filed against her and her administration by the Fort Sill Apache tribe by March 23rd.
The lawsuit reportedly is requesting that Gov. Martinez and her administration comply with the State Compact Negotiation Act and sign two Class III gaming compacts submitted to her in 2013.
Gov. Susana Martinez's office has spent three years working with the tribes to craft a new gambling compact since existing agreements are set to expire in June.
Supporters say the compact would bring stability to New Mexico's gaming industry, protect jobs and increase revenues to the state.
But some lawmakers said they couldn't support the measure because it would exclude the Fort Sill Apache tribe’s land in Luna County that was put into federal trust in 2002.
Under a provision in the compact, tribes wanting to put a casino on land acquired after 1988 would have to negotiate separately with the state.
Meanwhile, the State Supreme Court ordered Gov. Martinez to respond to a lawsuit filed against her and her administration by the Fort Sill Apache tribe by March 23rd.
The lawsuit reportedly is requesting that Gov. Martinez and her administration comply with the State Compact Negotiation Act and sign two Class III gaming compacts submitted to her in 2013.
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