Saturday, June 24, 2006

As reported by the Albany Times Herald-Record: "Long-shot legislation to
give two Wisconsin-based Indian tribes casinos in the Catskills and settle
land claim lawsuits the tribes have against the state, died in the
Legislature just days after it was introduced. "Senate leaders who
introduced the bill early this week decided late Wednesday it wouldn't even
be brought up for a vote. It was never considered in the Assembly. ".The
bill, originated by Sen. Majority Leader Joe Bruno, R-Brunswick, would have
given casino rights to the Wisconsin Oneidas and the Stockbridge-Munsee Band
of Mohicans. "It also would have legalized the New York Oneidas' successful
Turning Stone casino near Utica, by validating a required compact with the
state in what was considered a strong-arm ploy to leverage revenue from that
tribe."