Post by blackcrowheart on Dec 13, 2005 20:46:51 GMT -5
REPORT SHOWS TRIBE GIFTS TO LAWMAKERS
by The Associated Press and The Sun Staff
Tens of thousands of dollars generated by Connecticut's two Indian-owned casinos has been contributed to out-of-state lawmakers who deal with tribal issues, according to media report,
Since 1990, those leading the Senate Indian Affairs Committee has received at least $110,700 from members, investors and employees of the Mohegans and the Mashantucket Pequot tribes, according to The Connecticut Post, which reviewed data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics and PoliticalMoneyLine.
At the same time, at least $96,650 was given to three high-ranking members of the House Resources Committee, according to data from the two nonpartisan groups.
The congressional committees oversee the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, the agency which determines whether a tribe is eligible for federal recognition and deals with other tribal issues. The Mashantucket Peuquot Tribal Nation owns Foxwoods Resort Casino, while the Mohegan tribe owns Mohegan Sun.
The reports show that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the senate committee chairman, received $57,700 and Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, who chaired the committee when Democrats were in the majority, received $53,000, the newspaper reported.
On the House side, the tribes contributed at least $96,650 to three high-ranking members of the House Resources Committee. Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., collected at least $51,500; Rep. Dale Kildee, R-Mich., $30,150; and Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., $15,000, according to the Post.
The funding has not gone entire out of the state and outside the region.
Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., co-founder of the Native American Caucus in Congress, collected at least $78,000, the reports indicate. Kennedy has been a staunch advocate for the Charlestown-base Narragansett Indian Tribe, which is seeking to open a casino in West Warwick. The Narragansetts have also been at odds with the state and the town over jurisdictional issues.
Connecticut lawmakers also benefited from tribal contributions, records show.
Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., collected $55,350, and Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., $43,550. Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson, $24,950; Rep. John Larson $20,850; Rep. Rosa DeLauro, $20,000, and 2nd-District Congressman Rob Simmons, the Stonington Republican whose district includes the areas around Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun $14,850.
Rep. Christopher Shays did not get any contributions from the tribes, the Post reported.
by The Associated Press and The Sun Staff
Tens of thousands of dollars generated by Connecticut's two Indian-owned casinos has been contributed to out-of-state lawmakers who deal with tribal issues, according to media report,
Since 1990, those leading the Senate Indian Affairs Committee has received at least $110,700 from members, investors and employees of the Mohegans and the Mashantucket Pequot tribes, according to The Connecticut Post, which reviewed data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics and PoliticalMoneyLine.
At the same time, at least $96,650 was given to three high-ranking members of the House Resources Committee, according to data from the two nonpartisan groups.
The congressional committees oversee the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, the agency which determines whether a tribe is eligible for federal recognition and deals with other tribal issues. The Mashantucket Peuquot Tribal Nation owns Foxwoods Resort Casino, while the Mohegan tribe owns Mohegan Sun.
The reports show that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the senate committee chairman, received $57,700 and Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, who chaired the committee when Democrats were in the majority, received $53,000, the newspaper reported.
On the House side, the tribes contributed at least $96,650 to three high-ranking members of the House Resources Committee. Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., collected at least $51,500; Rep. Dale Kildee, R-Mich., $30,150; and Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., $15,000, according to the Post.
The funding has not gone entire out of the state and outside the region.
Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., co-founder of the Native American Caucus in Congress, collected at least $78,000, the reports indicate. Kennedy has been a staunch advocate for the Charlestown-base Narragansett Indian Tribe, which is seeking to open a casino in West Warwick. The Narragansetts have also been at odds with the state and the town over jurisdictional issues.
Connecticut lawmakers also benefited from tribal contributions, records show.
Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., collected $55,350, and Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., $43,550. Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson, $24,950; Rep. John Larson $20,850; Rep. Rosa DeLauro, $20,000, and 2nd-District Congressman Rob Simmons, the Stonington Republican whose district includes the areas around Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun $14,850.
Rep. Christopher Shays did not get any contributions from the tribes, the Post reported.