Hartford, Connecticut, Monday March 23, 2009.........The Public Health Committee of the Connecticut Legislature voted 28 to 2 in favor of a bill that would ban smoking eventually in the Mohegan Sun Casino and Foxwood Resorts Casino and MGM grand Casino at Foxwoods.
The bill would require, M. Jodi Rell, the Governor of Connecticut and both tribes that have casinos in Connecticut to enter a written agreement to curtail smoking and have totally smoke free casinos by October 1, 2011.
An agreement between the Governor and the two tribes or a certification of progress would be required for the two tribes' liquor licenses to be renewed. Supposedly in both compacts between both tribes and the state of Connecticut agree to abide by the state liquor laws.
Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, the Chairman of The Mohegan Tribal Council in a statement said, "On behalf of the Mohegan Tribal Nation, I am truly disappointed to see that the Public Health Committee is moving forward with a bill that infringes on our sovereign rights."
Bozsum also said, "Our objection to the proposed bill is not about issues related to second hand smoke. We are proud of the steps we have taken to mitigate smoke on our federally recognized reservation lands.....................We strongly oppose language in the bill that would interfere with our right to govern our lands and violate the compact between our governments. We will fight vigorously to protect our rights."
The Mashantucket Pequot response was not immediately available.
The Mohegan Tribal Government should stand up for its' sovereignty. The Mohegan Tribal Government should not back down. The State of Connecticut threatening the loss of the liquor license is not acceptable. How is the legislature showing good faith? Why should the casinos of Connecticut be put at a disadvantage to casinos outside the state (Rhode Island and New York)? Is this fair? What do you think?
1 comment:
The tribe could not care less about the second hand smoke the dealers in their casino have to breathe.
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