About a month ago, Richard Blumenthal, the Attorney General of Connecticut, seemed to be on board with the deal that the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority on a gradual implementation of a smoking ban at the Mohegan Sun Casino.
Blumenthal's proposal is that: 1) by October 2009, ban smoking in all non-gaming areas and 20% of the gaming areas, 2)by October 2010, ban smoking in all non-gaming areas and 50% of the gaming area, and 3) by October 2011, all areas gaming and non-gaming totally non-smoking.
The tentative deal between the MTGA (Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority) and Governor M. Jodi Rell, was to slowly implement smoking in the gaming areas as the other casinos in other states (two casinos in Rhode Island and New York). The Mohegan Sun Casino has smoke- free areas such as gaming areas, the retail stores, restaurants, bathrooms, hotel lobby, and elevators, etc.
Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, the Chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council said when speaking of sovereign immunity, "is a rule of law that supersedes the wishes of even Attorney General Blumenthal, and is guaranteed by the U. S. Constitution."
Chuck Bunnell, the Chief of Staff for the Mohegan Tribal Government said, "Connecticut would be the first state in the nation to try to breach the right of our first Americans to govern their own land."
Rich Harris, a spokesperson for Governor Rell said, "Any bill that attempts to impose a solution on soveriegn tribes by legislative fiat is certain to result in long, unnecessary and ultimately fruitless litigation and only complicates good faith efforts to negotiate a reasonable settlement of the legitimate issues."
Lori Potter, a Mashantucket Pequot tribal spokesperson said of the parties negotiating "can progress more effectively through a cooperative government to government relationships, as opposed to an attempt to impose state standards."
Dave Barry, a dealer at Foxwoods Resort Casino for 17 years said about second had smoke, "we get sicker and sicker of inaction." the U.A.W. dealers claim that they have developed respiratory problems or aggravated pre-existing ones while working at the casino.
Attorney General Blumenthal said, "Tribal sovereignty deserves respect, but it must yield to health or safety as a priority. The casinos are dealing workers and visitors a losing hand on cancer and tobacco addiction........the endgame is non-negotiable; a complete ban can not be left to chance."
It should be interesting to see how this plays out between the casinos, Governor Rell and the Attorney General Blumenthal. Can Connecticut make the casinos submit on smoking? I believe in the doctrine of Sovereign Immunity. We will see. What do you think?
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