Attorney General Mike Hunter and Tribal Leaders met on Monday in Shawnee to see if there is a way forward on the renegotiation of the gaming compacts. Governor Kevin Stitt wants to change the exclusivity fee structure to bring more revenue to the state.
Stitt also contends that the nearly 15 year old compacts are set to expire at the end of the year, while the Tribes believe they renew automatically if no new compacts are negotiated. That point of contention was the subject of the first meeting.
While no agreement was reached, both sides are committed to keep talking.
“The governor and I appreciate the leaders of the tribes for coming together in the first of a series of meetings we hope to have while discussing the Oklahoma gaming compacts,” Hunter said in a statement after the meeting. “The state is committed to a positive outcome that is mutually beneficial. As we have demonstrated in past negotiations, it is vastly important that we work together through the process, no matter how complex negotiations of this magnitude may be. It is the state’s belief that we can resolve our differences quickly and in a way that achieves our shared goals.”
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Chairman Matthew Morgan says the talks are still stuck on the renewal issue, but they will continue talking.
“We appreciate Attorney General Hunter taking the time today to meet with tribal leaders from across the state. It is clear the state has a major dispute over automatic renewal. Tribal leaders will take time to assess today’s discussion with Attorney General Hunter. Nothing is more important to the Tribes than resolving the automatic renewal and we are committed to continued dialogue,” said Morgan.
The GOP in our state have done such a poor job of managing money in our state now they are begging the Tribes to bail them out. Cant seem to stand the Native Americans sucess in our state. Tribes are using THEIR money to improve the lifes of its members not the politicans pockets. Stitt will screw up this relationship between tribes and Greedy government. Just another money grab by Oklahoma politicans.
The tribes have been preying on the poor with the consent of the Oklahoma government. The tribes have been responsible for the deterioration of the social fabric of our state for decades. It is quite in order for the state to increase its take, and the sooner the better. .