Accusations fly as tribes pursue racino

AUGUSTA — The battle over a proposed tribal racino in Washington County intensified Wednesday when a Penobscot Nation leader accused gambling opponents of "racism" after they claimed a bill before the Legislature could open up other counties to slot machines. A legal review by the anti-gambling group Casinos No! concluded the bill does not limit tribal plans for a racetrack with up to 1,500 slot machines to Washington County. It would allow the tribes to build a racino near land they control in Oxford, Franklin and Somerset counties, according to the group.

Leaders of the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes dismissed the findings, saying their proposal has always been about Washington County right down to the bill's title: "An Act To Authorize a Tribal Commercial Track and Slot Machines in Washington County."

Donna Loring, a lobbyist for the Penobscot Nation, questioned continued opposition to the tribe's racino proposal, saying "on its face it does smack a bit of racism." She said lawmakers are seeing past the anti-gambling group and rallying around the tribal proposal.

"People are hearing our message," said Passamaquoddy Tribal Rep. Frederick Moore.

Both sides are stepping up efforts to win support as the bill moves to a vote in the full Legislature. State law allows slots only at Bangor Raceway, so the tribes need the legislation to operate a racino.

Valerie Landry, a member of Casinos No! executive committee, said the group opposes the expansion of gambling in Maine no matter who proposes it. The group, which fought against a 2003 proposal to put a tribal casino in Sanford, believes gambling would hurt Maine's economy, increase government expenses and damage the lives of people who live here, she said.

"Our opposition is very clear, longstanding, on the record, and based on research we have done nationally," Landry said.

Casinos No! had Jamie Kilbreth, a former deputy state attorney general who represents the group, review the bill's language. He determined that it leaves an opening for the tribes to build outside Washington County.

Kilbreth said the bill would require the racino to be 90 miles away from Bangor Raceway and within 45 miles of tribal land. This includes land the tribes acquired in other regions of the state under the Indian Claims Settlement Act, he said.

"That would not limit it to Washington County. That would include all sorts of places," Kilbreth said.

Moore, the Passamaquoddy representative, said Kilbreth's analysis is part of a Casinos No! effort to spread misinformation about the racino proposal.

Moore said the bill has always been about Washington County. But to prevent any confusion, he asked earlier in the month for a technical change to the bill, requiring the racino to be within 45 miles of a tribal reservation. He said that would ensure the tribes build in Washington County.

"When you can't build a case on the merits, you resort to other things," Moore said of the racino's opponents.

State Sen. Kenneth Gagnon, D-Waterville, who co-chairs the committee that oversaw the bill's language, said the way it is currently written may leave an opening for a racino elsewhere. But the proposal is for a Washington County racino, he said, and its supporters have been the lawmakers and business owners from the county.

"Why are people in southern Maine trying to rain on their parade?" Gagnon asked.

It is unclear what will happen to the racino proposal when it reaches the full House and Senate for votes.

Gov. John Baldacci continues to oppose the expansion of gambling in Maine and is pushing against the Washington County plan. But racino supporters says many lawmakers see a desperate need for economic development in Maine's easternmost county and believe a racino could provide a boost.

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