New gambling compact approved
22-year deal would allow more casinos, longer hours, other perks
SANTA FE — A new 22-year gambling compact between the state and Indian tribes that operate casinos in New Mexico won legislative approval Thursday as lawmakers entered the homestretch of a 60-day legislative session that ends Saturday.
The House voted 61-5 in favor of the new pact, which allows for a few more casinos, longer operating hours and other perks for gamblers.
“I am more relieved than happy,” Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly told reporters after Thursday’s vote. “It’s a win-win situation for the state of New Mexico, the Navajo Nation and all the tribes.”
The agreement negotiated between five tribes and Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration had already passed the Senate on
a 35-7 vote on March 11. It still must be approved by the U.S. Department of Interior.
Rep. Sharon Clahchischilliage, R-Kirtland, said a failure to approve the gambling compact would have meant the shuttering of casinos and the loss of jobs since a current gambling compact covering four tribes will expire this summer.
“Without a compact, the tribes will face a severe economic impact and the potential closure of their facilities,” said Clahchischilliage, a second-term Navajo lawmaker.
While the new gaming compact moved forward, House members still had not finished a $6.2 billion budget for the coming year as of Thursday evening. Legislators must pass a budget before they adjourn and head home.
A House-approved tax break package and $275.2 million worth of public works projects — ranging from State Fair improvements to upgrades to the women’s prison in Grants — were also in legislative limbo at the Capitol.
But there was a flurry of Roundhouse activity, with lawmakers sending a measure to the governor’s desk that would allow for beer and wine to be delivered with food orders to homes and hotel rooms.
The House voted 48-18 in favor of the proposal, which would allow for only a limited amount of wine and beer — no more than two six-packs of beer — to be delivered and would require alcohol server training for those delivering the booze.
Backers said the measure, Senate Bill 503, could bolster the state’s tourism industry, while also possibly reducing drunken driving incidents.
“It seems kind of weird at first, but it’s a good public policy,” said Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas, D-Albuquerque, during Thursday’s debate.
Meanwhile, approval of the gambling compact was described as the result of years of negotiations between tribes and the state. It came a year after a different proposed pact was voted down in the Senate amid disagreements between the Navajo Nation and other tribes.
The compact endorsed Thursday would allow casinos to be open 24 hours every day — instead of just weekends — and to expand their offerings of complimentary food and lodging.
New Mexico has 26 tribal casinos, though some are little more than a cluster of slot machines in convenience stores. That number could increase to more than 30 casinos under the new compact, according to the Senate sponsor of the resolution approving the agreement.
The Navajos, whose bid for a total of five casinos was rejected last year, would be able to have four casinos under the new deal running through 2037, including a new one that could be built after six years.
The state would also benefit from the pact via a revenue-sharing provision that is expected to generate an additional $10 million in the coming year.
“I think all of us will benefit from this compact,” said Rep. James Roger Madalena, D-Jemez Pueblo.
Four tribes — the Navajos, the Jicarilla Apaches, the Mescalero Apaches and Acoma Pueblo — are facing a June 30 deadline due to the expiration of their current pact. Also in on the negotiations was Jemez Pueblo, which may sign the compact and eventually open a casino. More tribes could also sign onto the agreement.
However, not all tribal leaders were happy with the approval of the gambling compact.
Jeff Haozous, chairman of the Fort Sill Apache tribe, said the agreement effectively discriminates against the tribe, which has a reservation near Deming but would be barred from signing onto the new compact.
“We may be the smallest tribe in the state, but our rights are equal to every other tribe and pueblo,” Haozous said in a Thursday statement. “Until this administration recognizes and respects this fact, we will not rest.”