Lawmakers Bar Changes On Mass. Tribal Casino Deal
BOSTON (AP) — Lawmakers have moved to block any changes from being made in the casino compact signed last week by Gov. Deval Patrick and the Wampanoag Indian tribe.
The order approved by the House on Tuesday means lawmakers will have to take an up or down vote on the compact without considering any amendments to the agreement.
Several legislators from southeastern Massachusetts were hoping to amend the compact to add a two-year deadline for the tribe to win federal approval for placing in trust land in Taunton on which it hopes to build a casino.
But legislative leaders argued that any amendments would force a renegotiation of the compact and possibly kill the agreement.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
