Jul12
Judge Urges Oklahoma Governor to Solve the Problem with Tribes
February 17, 2020 TamaraTam
Reacting to serious differences between local tribes and the state, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt turned to the court to resolve the problem. The court responded efficiently and dispelled the governor’s requirements, indicating that Kevin Stitt should find a solution in cooperation with tribes…
Background of the Problem
According to the governor, the Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations have so much space and freedom with gambling compacts. Stitt looks to obtain a larger portion of contribution to the state budget.
At the moment, Tribes contribute to Oklahoma with 4-10%, which is unaccepted to the governor. He wants to see Tribes paying 25% to the state, as part of the revenue-sharing agreement. However, he is not entitled to bring the decision on his own and that’s the main problem for the state official.
Following the expiration of gambling compacts at the beginning of the year, the Oklahoma governor turned to the court to accuse Tribes of illegal operation. And the court responded…
Court Decision
Governor Stitt’s request arrived in the hands of Oklahoma Chief Judge Timothy DeGiusti from the Western District. The judge inspected the request together with Tribes’ lawsuit against the governor and made a decision – the court should not get involved at this time.
According to the ruling:
“Upon review of the case record, and having conducted a pretrial conference with counsel for all parties … the Court finds that negotiations within the framework of an early mediation proceeding provide a means for efficient initial case management in this matter.”
Possible Deal
After the court gave its opinion, the governor and local Tribes should sit at the table and solve the differences. Both sides should name two mediators before the case goes before the court. Giving the extent of misunderstanding between the two sides, it is likely that both governor and Tribes will argue the appointment of other side’s mediators.
The court has decided to wait for the next move, but it is not willing to lose any time with the choice. Following the selection of mediators, the disagreement between the two sides should be resolved by the end of March.
One of the most disputable issues is whether the compacts are automatically renewed following the expiration of the previous. If that is the case, Tribes will have an obvious advantage. However, if the compacts have expired then the governor will have a better position…
Source:
“Judge orders Oklahoma governor, tribes to hash out their differences“, Erik Gibbs, calvinayre.com, February 11, 2020.
What a conflict between two sides! The governor is stubborn in his requests and Tribes don’t want to give more than usual…I impatiently wait to hear the court’s decision on this case…