The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has not said how the tribe’s proposed casino in Jackson County would provide funding for “schools, roads, public safety and other local needs,” but its contributions to communities surrounding its existing casinos provide clues.
The money is significantly less than Coast communities receive from gambling taxes.
The Choctaws pay no state or local gambling taxes from the revenues of the Golden Moon and Silver Star. However, officials from Philadelphia and Neshoba County say their communities have benefited from the tribe’s economic developments and they describe the tribe as good neighbors. Contributions to offset growth issues, such as increases in student population, have been limited.
the Choctaws issued a statement on April 2 saying the proposed casino near Ocean Springs would “provide funding for schools, roads, public safety and other local needs.” The statement was issued after the Jackson County Board of Supervisors voted to have a non-binding referendum on the proposed casino in November.
The Sun Herald published the tribe’s statement on April 4 and requested at that time an explanation on how or in what amount this funding would be provided. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has not answered the questions.
Tribes that operate casinos in other states have been required to share a specific percentage of the profits in compacts negotiated with governors. Gov. Kirk Fordice did not negotiate a percentage when he signed a compact with the Choctaws that allowed casino gambling on the reservation. They pay only $250,000 year for tourism promotion.
Sounds like Mississippi got a bum deal thanks to Gov. Kirk Fordice. Read the entire article in The Sun Herald.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment