Kirkpatrick is cosponsoring legislation aimed at stopping the proposed Tohono O’odham Vegas-style casino from being built in Glendale near University of Phoenix Stadium. Kirkpatrick spokeswoman, Jennifer Johnson, told the Yellow Sheet Report yesterday the congresswoman wasn’t so much joining the GOP Arizona delegation cosponsors (Reps. Trent Franks, Matt Salmon, David Schweikert and Paul Gosar) as she was siding with the state’s Indian tribes. Many of the state’s tribes oppose the casino, including the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community and the Gila River Indian Community, both of which are suing Tohono O’odham in federal court.
Tohono O’odham wasted no time in responding to the bill’s introduction, calling it a desperate effort to circumvent the courts and protect the market share for Gila River and
Salt River. Matt Probst, a tribe spokesman who works for Tucson-based Strategic Issues Management Group, said in a press release the legislation would open the door across the nation for Congress to unilaterally alter tribal and state gaming compacts. So far, the courts have mostly sided with Tohono O’odham, which bought the land at 95th and Northern avenues in 2003.
Information from the Yellow Sheet Report
Note: Rose Law Group represents leadership of the Arizona House and Senate in the lawsuit to stop the casino.
