Congress should butt out, let the West Valley have casino
We, along with other local and state elected officials, are joined in opposition to H.R. 308 and S. 152, the “Keeping the Promise Acts of 2015,” being debated in the U.S. House and Senate.
This legislation would disrupt a $400 million economic development project well underway on reservation land held in trust by the U.S. government for the Tohono O’odham Nation. In light of federal court decisions in support of the project, it makes no sense for Congress to stop this project. Our interest in this project is twofold. First, this is a matter of local control and we respectfully request to be recognized for our role as elected representatives with the responsibility to defend the interests of the Arizonans we represent.
We were not consulted on this legislation, and we stand together to affirm that those closest to the project are solidly in support of this development. We appreciate this most significant economic development project in our communities.
Second, we can personally attest to the tremendous public support for the casino resort. The support exists be- cause of the creation of new jobs, unique gaming entertainment and upscale resort environment that the West Valley Resort and Casino brings to metropolitan Phoenix and the West Valley.
Construction is well underway and our constituents are already benefiting from the 1,300 construction jobs and $200 million that will be invested during 2015. When the facility opens later this year, more than 500 new and permanent jobs will be created.
But the best is yet to come, as this is only the first phase of this major economic development project. Within a matter of months, additional construction will take place to build out the entire resort and casino facility. Thousands of families will benefit from the ongoing jobs associated with construction, operations and the supply of goods and vendor services necessary to run these facilities.
There have been16 court and administrative decisions affirming the right of the Tohono O’odham Nation to operate the West Valley Resort and Casino. We have waited for this project since 2009, when it was first announced.
See HUGH, Page 11A