By Caitlin McGlade | The Arizona Republic
A U.S. House committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would block development of a West Valley casino on land the Tohono O’odham Nation bought near Glendale.
The bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., passed the House Committee on Natural Resources on a 35-5 vote.
It now heads to the full House for consideration, and the bill’s proponents are hoping for swift passage. Opponents say the project violates an agreement among tribes not to build new casinos in metro Phoenix.
The committee nixed a proposed amendment by Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., that would have essentially nullified the bill’s impact.
The bill seeks to prevent more casinos on Phoenix-area land designated as a reservation after April 2013. The prohibition would expire in 2027.
The bill takes direct aim at the Tohono O’odham Nation, which announced plans to build a casino near Glendale’s sports and entertainment district in 2009. The plans prompted a string of lawsuits and legislation. The tribe’s opponents, including two
Valley tribes that operate casinos, have argued that a 2002 voter-backed compact barred more casinos from opening in the Valley.
Related: Grijalva demands apology for tweet
Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Arizona Legislature leadership in a suit to stop the casino.
