An attempt by a tribal representative to the Legislature to have the Maine Supreme Judicial Court determine whether tribes in Maine could operate casinos failed Monday in the House of Representatives.
Rep. Henry John Bear of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians has been at the forefront of attempts at tribal gaming for years — all of which have failed at the ballot box and in the Legislature. On Monday, Bear tried to take the issue to the high court but was defeated in a 73-67 House vote.
The issue is now dead.
Bear, a non-voting member of the Legislature, argues that a 1987 U.S. Supreme Court case argued in California on behalf of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians gives tribes the authority to operate casinos if the states where their reservations are located allow casinos.
Bear said the revenue could help Maine’s tribes on a range of public health and infrastructure issues. He also said a casino would benefit Aroostook County’s economy.
The County is pleased to feature content from our sister company, Bangor Daily News. To read the rest of “Maine House blocks another tribal casino bid,” an article by contributing Bangor Daily News staff writer Christopher Cousins, please follow this link to the BDN online.
