Jun 10, 2008 6:30 pm US/Eastern
Dimasi Calls Casino Compact 'Premature'
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
A top Beacon Hill Lawmaker thinks the State should wait before negotiating a casino compact with the Mashpee Tribe.
As WBZ first reported Monday night, the federally recognized tribe is expected to ask the State to begin negotiations very soon for a legal contract that could allow them to operate a proposed Middleboro casino.
The governor told WBZ he is ready to begin talking to the tribe.
However, the Speaker of the House, a long time opponent of casino gambling, says not so fast. Although Sal DiMasi acknowledges "if the administration feels they need to begin negotiating at this particular point in time. I am sure that is up to the Governor and the Governor's office to make that determination..."
A compact could, emphasis on COULD, make a resort casino owned by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe a reality in Middleboro.
But both Patrick and DiMasi agree that the federal government at some point will have to designate the Middleboro property as an independent reservation.
However, Indian Gaming expert Kevin Washburn told WBZ this winter, that should happen.
"As a recently recognized tribe, the Wampanoag's have a legal right to an Indian reservation, a home land if you will," Washburn said.
Others disagree because the property is too far from the tribe's Mashpee home.
Before an Indian casino could open its doors in Middleboro, lawmakers say the land in trust issue must be settled.
Although compact negotiations could begin at anytime.
WBZ has learned those negotiations could be started very soon by the Chairman of the tribe Shawn Hendricks.
However, the Speaker, who successfully killed the Governor's plan to allow commercial casinos in the state, now hopes the Governor will wait to negotiate a compact until the Federal Government makes Middleboro a legal tribal reservation.
DiMasi points out "the Federal Government has usually denies that. So I think it would be premature to negotiate a compact until they have that designation."
The tribe expects to get the designation and it would appear so does Deval Patrick.
We hear the two sides will be talking before the month is out.
Any casino compact would have to be approved by the State legislature.
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