North Houston News

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) on April 26 introduced the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas the Tribal Gaming Regulatory Compliance Act, which will ensure all federally recognized Tribes that are eligible for gaming in the United States are regulated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

“I’m proud to have introduced Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas Fair Tribal Gaming Act to ensure equal opportunity in economic growth and job development across the Tribes,”said Congressman Luttrell. “By ensuring the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is in-fact covered under IGRA, it will allow the Tribe to continue to invest in the surrounding community and provide for essential government services on the reservation. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to get this bipartisan bill signed into law.”

"Naskila Casino is a proven engine of economic activity for Deep East Texas, responsible for 825 permanent jobs and more than $200 million in annual activity. We are grateful that Congressman Morgan Luttrell and other Texans in Congress are working to protect the economic well-being of our region and the sustainability of our Tribe. The United States Supreme Court and United States District Court - Eastern District of Texas have affirmed and upheld our right to offer electronic bingo on our Reservation and now we hope that Congress will put us under the same regulatory framework as other tribes across the country," said Ricky Sylestine, Tribal Council Chairman, Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas.

"Many Tribal Nations rely on gaming to fund the infrastructure and services their communities need, and it is important that all Tribal Nations offering gaming are treated equally and regulated under the same federal framework. This includes both the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, each of which should be regulated no differently than any other Tribal Nations anywhere throughout the United States, so that they, too, can engage in gaming operations that are critically important to their people and their communities,” said Larry Wright, Jr., Executive Director of National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).

"Tribal Nations across the United States stand with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo as they seek to be under the same regulatory structure as other Tribal Nations.  These Tribal Nations make significant contributions to their communities and to the Texas economy, and it is important that all Tribal Nations are governed under a consistent structure that provides fairness and certainty for their citizens,” said Chief Kirk Francis, Sr., President, USET Sovereignty Protection Fund.

There is wide-spread support for Naskila Casino in Polk County and the surrounding Counties in East Texas, with over 80 resolutions of support for federal legislation clarifying the Tribe is covered under IGRA, including from:  Chambers County, Cherokee County, the City of Cleveland, the City of Goodrich, the City of Ivanhoe City, City of Ivanhoe Marshall, City of Livingston, City of Lovelady, City of Onalaska, City of San Augustine, City of Sheppard, City of Splendora, City of Woodville, Deep East Texas Council of Governments, Hardin County, Hays County, Huntsville City Council, Jasper County, Jefferson County, Madison County, Newton County, Orange County, Polk County Commissioners, Sabine County, San Augustine County, San Jacinto County, Shelby County, Trinity County, and Leon County.

Original source can be found here.