SANTA FE, N.M. -- Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan and the Intergovernmental Relations Committee taskforce on gaming met with Gov. Bill Richardson and his gaming negotiation party today to discuss the Navajo Nation's gaming plans and negotiation contracts with New Mexico.
Topics of discussion included the number of gaming facilities the Navajo Nation would like to be granted, revenue sharing and the possible duration of a thirty year Class III gaming contract between the Navajo Nation and New Mexico.
The Intergovernmental Relations Committee taskforce on gaming recommended Richardson's gaming negotiation team to consider accepting the Navajo Nation's request for the same compact duration as the rest of the tribes and pueblos in New Mexico.
The Navajo Nation also questioned whether the 2007 New Mexico Amendments are a fair balance between the Navajo Nation and the state because the amendments allow two gaming sites per tribe despite differences in Navajo population compared to other tribes and pueblos.
As for revenue sharing, the Navajo Nation recommended a change to reflect the ultimate signing date of the amendments between the Navajo Nation and New Mexico.
"The amendment is geared toward the mutual understanding and is mutually beneficial to the state of New Mexico and the Navajo Nation," Morgan said. "It is very important that we talk about the duration, the number of facilities and the revenue that is very important to both government-to-government negotiations teams."
The Intergovernmental Relations Committee taskforce on gaming is scheduled to meet on April 16 during an Intergovernmental Relations Committee special meeting to create a gaming negotiation party to renegotiate a gaming compact with the state.
Speaker Morgan extends an invitation to the Navajo Nation Attorney General and Office of the President and Vice-President or their designee for the selection of a Navajo gaming negotiation team.
