The Citizen Potawatomi Nation is asking a federal judge in Oklahoma City to join the lawsuit filed by the Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw nations against Governor Kevin Stitt over the gaming compact expiration. The filing was made on Friday.
“We are committed to remaining a strong partner with the State of Oklahoma,” said Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tribal Chairman John Barrett. “We do that through our tribal enterprises, which create an economic impact of more than $530 million, and through programs and initiatives that provide healthcare, address infrastructure needs, and fund education.”
The federal lawsuit was filed on December 31, 2019, to decide the impasses over the compacts. Stitt maintains the compacts expired on January 1, 2020. The tribes contend the automatic renewal trigger was met.
Barnett says it is unfair of Stitt to claim the tribes are not paying their fair share when much of their revenues are used to help their communities.
“To say that the Tribes aren’t paying their fair share is a misrepresentation of all that we do for Oklahoma,” added Barrett. “We contribute 100% of our tribal revenue to Oklahomans through infrastructure, education, economic development, and more. The positive impact that CPN has on our community is many times more beneficial than a few more dollars in gaming taxes to the state.”
