Arizona Governor rallies support in Indian casino push

Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell, Mesa Mayor John Giles, Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, Gilbert Mayor Jennifer Daniels and the mayors of Apache Junction, Fountain Hills and Litchfield Park penned Ducey a support letter Dec. 20.

Ducey and several Native American tribes are pushing for new agreements limiting new casinos in the Phoenix market but allowing for more gambling at existing casinos.

The issue centers around the Tohono O’odham Nation’s new casino 91st and Northern avenues in Glendale, north of Westgate and the University of Phoenix Stadium.

Other tribes and the state have been opposed to a new agreement. Ducey's proposal is aimed at that issue.

The O’odham tribe, however, has not signed onto the idea proposed by the Republican governor and other tribes.

Following is the the joint letter from Valley mayors to Ducey.

Dear Governor Ducey:

We write to express our appreciation and support for your leadership in bringing many of Arizona’s tribal communities together to negotiate important and necessary changes to Arizona’s gaming compact.

As Mayors, we would like to re-emphasize our support and commitment to working with you and the impacted Native American communities to find an equitable compact agreement that ultimately results in no additional gaming casinos being constructed in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

As you know, on November 21st, the State of Arizona and eight tribes signed compact amendments in which those tribes expressly agreed not to open additional casinos in the Phoenix metro area. We applaud this effort; however, express our concern as to the lack of agreement by the tribal entity party to the lawsuit, of which the amendments to the compact were designed to assist in settling.

Additionally, it has been reported that a settlement to the State’s legal challenges surrounding the Glendale casino has been offered. We feel this was a reasonable offer and would appreciate your continued efforts to bring the parties together with ultimate acceptance of the proposal.

We stand ready to assist you however we can. Thank you for your continued work and dedication to this important issue to the citizens of our State.