WASHINGTON — The U.S. Interior Department’s failure to act on provisions that would allow the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to open a new casino in East Windsor came after a vigorous lobbying campaign by competitor MGM Resorts International and a change in Indian gaming policy in the Trump administration.
BIA
Posted inPolitics
Golden Hill Paugussetts say they will try for recognition again
WASHINGTON — The Golden Hill Paugussett tribe of Trumbull is preparing to seek federal recognition again, a classification that would bring the tribe special federal help and the right to open a casino and press land claims.
Posted inJustice, Politics
Schaghticoke hire Lieberman to help sue state over casino law
The Schaghicoke Tribal Nation has hired former Sen. Joe Lieberman – who once fought against the tribe’s efforts to win federal recognition — to help them sue the state over a gambling law that allows only the state’s two gaming tribes to open a new casino. In their legal challenge, the Schaghticokes’ have joined forces with MGM, which has also been blocked from building a casino in Connecticut.
Posted inNews
U.S. denies CT tribes chance at federal recognition
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs has moved to make it easier for tribes across the nation to win federal recognition – while blocking several Connecticut tribes from doing so. That drew praise from Connecticut’s politicians.
Posted inPolitics
Obama administration moving new tribal recognition rules
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is on the brink of making new federal tribal recognition rules – a move that could be a boon to several Connecticut tribes. Opponents, however, fearful of the ramifications of the new rules on casino operations and land claims, are making 11th-hour attempts to stop or slow the process.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Connecticut officials lead charge against federal plan for Indians
Updated, 1:15 p.m. Washington – Connecticut officials are bracing for new Indian recognition rules that could upend the state’s gaming agreement with the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan, takes swaths of land out of the state tax base and likely result in new casinos.