Calling Mickey Kantor
Former White House Advisor Hired To Help Negotiate Compact With State Officals
Former White House Cabinet member Mickey Kantor has been hired by the California Nations Indian Gaming Association to help negotiate on their behalf in the compact negotiations with Gov. Gray Davis’ administration.
William A. Norris, special counsel for tribal affairs was quoted by the Associated Press that he will meet with a tribal committee represented by Mickey Kantor.
Mickey Kantor is a well connected politico who was part of the Clinton administration from 1993 to 1997. He will represent nearly forty gaming and non-gaming tribes in compact negotiations.
“We are looking forward to a constructive, substantive and fair process with the new administration that will finally secure protection for the limited gaming we now have on our own tribal lands. This is the fundamental concept that more than 5 million voters – over 63 percent of the electorate – overwhelmingly endorsed in Proposition 5 last November,” said Mark Macarro, tribal chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians and spokesperson for the passage of Prop 5 and the United Tribes Compact Steering Committee.
Macarro added that “executing tribal-state compacts that use the same terms and provisions outlined under Prop 5 will allow California Indian tribes to continue to offer limited, well-regulated gaming on tribal lands – gaming that has provided self-reliance through employment and funding for housing, education, healthcare, cultural preservation and other crucial services for tribal members.”
Arguments on Prop 5 are scheduled to be held June 1st before the California Supreme Court, which is not expected to issue a decision in the matter for quite some time. Tribes are hoping that by negotiating now, they can short-circuit Vegas interests in their challenge, and avoid any more costly litigation.
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