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Montana officials want gas issue out of gaming talks

MONTANA – As reported by the Leader Advocate: "The Lake County Commissioners have asked Gov. Brian Schweitzer to take gasoline tax revenue off the table in the state's ongoing negotiations with the Tribes over gaming jurisdiction issues.

"In a letter to the governor last month, the commissioners said they were "shocked" to hear that the governor is considering offering $500,000 in gas tax revenue to the Tribes as an incentive to reach an agreement, after the state and Tribes couldn't come to terms on a state gaming compact prior to a Nov. 30 deadline.

"However, the Salish and Kootenai tribes are the only tribal government of the seven in the state that doesn't receive gas tax revenue, according to figures provided in the governor's Tribal Relations Report for 2006.

"…But the county commissioners said providing gas tax revenue to the Tribes will ultimately affect local gas tax revenue, which is used to maintain county roads and buy equipment. They urged Schweitzer to withdraw that item from negotiations, saying that Tribal members only make up 20 percent of the county's population, and that the Tribes aren't responsible for maintaining county roads…"

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