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Gov. Kotek of Oregon Opposes Coquille Tribal Casino Project
By Jeff Osienya Apr 17, 2023 IndustryGovernor of The Beaver State, Tina Kotek, has come out guns blazing against the addition of another tribal casino by the Coquille Native American tribal nation. Let’s dissect the governor’s views expressed via a letter to all the state’s tribal chairs.In a strongly worded letter to chairs of all the eight federally recognized tribes in Oregon, Gov. Tina Kotek did not mince her words expressing opposition to tribal gaming expansion. For a while, tribal gaming expansion has been a hot topic in the Beaver State even though Gov. Kotek’s predecessors put the matter to bed.
Previous governors granted a good faith bargain allowing all the eight Oregon tribal nations one casino each, and Governor Kotek expressly stated that she is opposed to any further expansion. This has been a longstanding opinion of the governor, and judging by her letter to the tribal nations, her stance is unwavering. The letter read in part:
Quote“Throughout my legislative career, during my campaign for this office, and since the start of my administration, I have been clear that I do not favor any expansion of gaming… This applies to the tribes and the state. Therefore, my policy on Tribal gaming facilities maintains the status quo from previous governors, i.e., good faith bargaining between sovereign tribes and the State on one gaming facility per tribe on reservation land.”
Exploring the Bone of Contention
The main reason behind the strongly worded letter from the Governor was the Coquille tribe’s bid to set up its second casino in Medford. This, of course, veers away from previous agreements for allowing that only one tribal gaming facility for each tribe on preservation land. The opposition to this move was further aggravated when the tribe applied to the Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to set aside land for the facility to be put in trust.
Although the Coquille tribe already has one casino establishment, it is situated in a relatively remote area with reduced activity. The one tribe, one casino policy was established in 1997 when then Governor John Kitzhaber sought to prevent the state from over-reliance on state lottery proceeds. And even though the subsequent governors have taken up this policy, it only remains a doctrine, and it is not cast into stone as the law of the land.
Kotek Anticipates Widespread Negative Impact of the Coquille Casino Project
In the letter, Kotek took issue with the impact of the extra tribal casino by the Coquille tribe. She anticipated that a new casino establishment in Medford would hurt all of Oregon’s tribes, with the other establishment likely to draw revenue from other tribal casinos. She argued that this would heavily impact the gaming revenues of these casinos, which fund vital public activities like education, social services, and health care, among other core services.
Additionally, in her letter, the governor backed former governors John Kitzhaber and Kate Brown, who similarly sent letters to the BIA in solid opposition to the expansion of gaming statewide. While viewed by others as an exaggeration of sorts, the governor’s views in the letter have some support in the state. The Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians has also retained some reservations about establishing a second casino in Medford. The said tribe has the Seven Feathers casino resort and is just about 70 miles from Medford, and it estimates that this casino could bring down the Cow Creek tribal government services by a good 25%.
There are also concerns in the community within the proposed area where the casino would come up about the effects of the casino establishment. Concerns that security would become an issue in what has been a peaceful neighborhood have risen, with some community members threatening to move from apartments in the area should a tribal casino be approved. Moreover, in 2013, the Medford City Council expressed reservations about introducing an additional casino facility. That said, the council’s strong views seem to have thawed as it updated its views early this year to a condition of neutrality.
Coquille Tribe’s Justification of a Second Casino Project
In the Beaver State, only one tribe has two tribal casinos assigned to it: the Confederated tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. Should Coquille’s proposal receive a Seal of Approval from the federal government, then this would make it the second tribe to have two casinos, and they would be more than 160 miles apart.
Well, despite criticisms from past governors, administrations, and even fellow native tribes, the Coquille tribe insists that a second casino would spur its economic growth and help the community at large. Their recent statement read in part:
Quote“The Coquille tribe’s small Medford facility would help support the rising cost of programs and services for tribal families while creating more than 200 local jobs. The facility would buy from local businesses, contribute substantially to Medford’s city budget and support local non-profits through a grant fund.”
In her retort to the Governor’s letter, the Coquille tribal chair, Brenda Mae, accused Governor Kotek of joining the bandwagon of governors who had fallen back on their promises to the tribes. The reply was as stern as Governor Kotek’s letter, stating:
Quote“We had hoped that this Governor would respect federal law and the economic development rights of Indian Tribes. But it’s no surprise that the boss of Oregon’s biggest gaming enterprise wants to lock out competition.”
She further attacked the Governor’s apparent hostility towards the native tribes stating:
Quote“Her position amounts to a hostile act against Oregon tribes and tribal sovereignty. Opposing our economic development opportunities amounts to an attack on our ability to provide health care, housing education, and elder assistance to our people.”
It all Comes Down to The Federal Government
Having applied to the BIA to have the casino land in trust, Coquille must first prove that it has ancestral ties to the land. The BIA will then consider the stances of the local communities, the nearby tribes, the local governments, and state governors when formulating a decision. As such, Kotek’s hands are pretty tied on the matter. She cannot impose herself as a deciding authority. The federal government, in this case, will ultimately have the final word.
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