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Louisiana Tribe Must Cover Lost Taxes to Open Casino

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – As reported by the Associated Press: "The Jena Band of Choctaws will have to cover any possible tax losses to the state to get an agreement to operate a reservation casino in northwestern Louisiana, Gov. Mike Foster says.

"In his weekly taped radio and television address, Foster said some sort of revenue-sharing agreement will have to be included in any compact he signs with the tribe. Foster will leave office Jan. 12, when Gov.-elect Kathleen Blanco is scheduled to be sworn in.

"…It is unclear whether there is enough time for the Foster administration to negotiate a deal with the tribe and whether a revenue-sharing requirement with the state would get federal approval.

"…An attorney for the tribe, Julie Wilkerson, has said the Jena Band would like to wrap up a deal before Foster leaves office.

"While DeSoto Parish officials are eager to have the tribe build its casino there, officials and representatives of the casino industry in Shreveport and Bossier City have said it would harm existing casinos that pay the state millions of dollars in taxes each year…"

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