Gov. Jan Brewer this week signed House Bill 2534 to stop a proposed tribal casino near Glendale.
The new law, which takes effect 90 days after the end of session, will allow Glendale City Council to annex 54 acres at 95th and Northern avenues without the permission of the Tohono O'odham.
<img src="http://l.azcentral.com/imgs/icon_new_photo.png" class="floatLeft" width="11"
The tribe wants to build a casino and resort on the site but needs to wait for a resolution to a legal challenge to a federal decision to designate the land a reservation. A judge will hear the case Feb. 17. Glendale, the Gila River Indian Community and key state lawmakers are challenging the federal trust decision.
Separate from the reservation issue, the tribe would need federal permission to allow gaming on the land.
KEY PLAYERS WEIGH IN
GOV. JAN BREWER
"This legislation assures that local officials will continue to have a say in local development matters that affect their community. I encourage this kind of transparent discussion because the public interest is best served when communities work together."
TOHONO O'ODHAM NATION
"This legislation is clearly unconstitutional and represents a desperate attempt by project opponents to stop this important economic-development project. The Tohono O'odham Nation is fully committed to using all available resources to stop the implementation of this unconstitutional legislation. We agree with the governor on the need for open dialogue and continue to meet with local governments and communities across the West Valley. Unfortunately, despite the opportunity to create thousands of new jobs and positive economic development, Glendale stands alone in its refusal to meet with the nation."
GLENDALE
"Governor Jan Brewer today signed HB 2534, sending a strong message that the state of Arizona supports states' rights, individual private-property rights and the voices of local communities. The city of Glendale wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Governor Brewer and Republican leadership of the Arizona Legislature who stood strong against any attempt by the federal government to remove land from the state's jurisdiction without the approval of the state. Moreover, Glendale is proud of the many state leaders who took the time to understand the true and accurate circumstances surrounding the need for this bill in many situations, including the federal government and the Tohono O'odham Nation's blatant attempt to disregard the interest of Glendale's citizens and West Valley neighborhoods. We are pleased HB 2534 will become law, and that Arizona sovereignty and the rights of all property owners will be respected."
GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY
"Our community agrees with Governor Brewer and the many foes of what the Tohono O'odham Nation has proposed. We believe it's wrong for a tribe to go 'reservation shopping' and poach another tribe's aboriginal land in secret, just as it's wrong to open a huge casino in the middle of a neighborhood. Proposition 202, which the Gila River Indian Community supported along with 16 tribes, including the Tohono O'odham, restricts casinos to traditional tribal lands. The balance of tribal gaming is at stake here. That's why we strongly believe Governor Brewer did the right thing."
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