Sep 2, 2008 9:07 pm US/Eastern
Mashpee Tribe Asks To Begin Casino Negotiations
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe will formally ask Gov. Deval Patrick Wednesday to begin negotiations for a casino compact.
The tribe's chairman, Shawn Hendricks, signed the three-page letter Tuesday. He will deliver it personally to Patrick's office Wednesday.
"We are asking the governor to begin negotiations for a compact," Hendricks told WBZ.
A compact would allow casino gambling in Massachusetts.
A compact is a contract between the tribe and state outlining all of the details including a percentage for the state.
At Connecticut's Foxwoods Casino, the tribe hands over 25 percent of slot machine revenue or about $10 million a month.
So what percentage is the tribe willing to give Massachusetts?
"I am not sure what that number is but that's what I will be negotiating," Hendricks said.
In his letter to Gov. Patrick, Hendricks asks for "immediate commencement of compact negotiation which will lead to a positive result for Massachusetts."
But he concludes by saying, "No matter what ultimately happens with the negotiations the tribe's intent is to operate a resort casino in Middleboro."
The Mashpee tribe can only do that if they get federal approval to make that 500 acres of land their reservation.
Casino opponents like Rich Young of Middleboro say there is no guarantee that will happen, so it's much too early to negotiate a compact.
"If I were the governor I would say, 'no.' And the reason is this process is a long way off," Young said.
However,
Patrick told WBZ in June he was ready to start conversations with the tribe.
We will see what he says Wednesday.
The Mashpee tribe says they expect the federal government to allow them to take the land as their reservation early next year.
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