DETOG supports Alabama-Coushatta in state dispute

By JESS HUFF/The Lufkin Daily News

March 28, 2019

COLDSPRING — The Deep East Texas Council of Governments approved a resolution in support of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas’ battle to keep Naskila Gaming open.

U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-Woodville) submitted HR 759 to U.S. Congress that would clarify the tribe’s ability to run the center. It was submitted with 13 co-sponsors — including six members of the Texas delegation.

“If the passage of that bill were to be successful, it would eliminate any question the state has in their questioning of our operating a legal electronic bingo facility in our county,” Flores said.

The state of Texas and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe have been in legal conflict for two years over the tribe’s gaming center because of its electronic bingo machines. Electronic bingo is considered Class II gaming, which has been considered legal in the Kickapoo Tribe of Texas.

The state argues that the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe lost their right to have this type of gaming in 2002 when the state shut down a full-fledged casino. The tribe argues that shutting down their gaming center would negatively impact Polk and surrounding counties economically and that they should have the right to run the center under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

A study done by the Texas Forest Country Partnership — an economic development partnership in the DETCOG region — last fall showed that Naskila created 561 full-time jobs and had a $139.6 million annual economic impact in the region.

Their argument has garnered support regionally and across the state. The tribe is asking for individual support from the communities within the DETCOG region to help the bill be passed at the federal level.

In other business, the council also supported several resolutions:

■ Designating April as Child Abuse Awareness Month.

■ Designating April 2 as National Day of Service Recognition.

■ The application for a Law Enforcement Training Grant.

The council also:

■ Confirmed the appointments to the new Law Enforcement Training Advisory Board.

■ Approved recommendations made for the Homeland Security Grant recipients.

■ Opened the option for people to make nominations for the board secretary position.

■ Was updated on the new building and approved the plans and financing recommended.

■ Approved an agreement between DETCOG and the Forest Country Development Corporation relating to the new building project.

■ Opened the option for people to make nominations for the board secretary position.

■ Was updated on the new building and approved the plans and financing recommended.

■ Approved an agreement between DETCOG and the Forest Country Development Corporation relating to the new building project.