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Nebraska Native Gaming Proposal Stalled

"…Despite a change in three members on this year's committee, the split resulted when Sen. Carroll Burling of Kenesaw voted against the proposed constitutional amendment. Burling was joined by fellow freshman Sen. Phillip Erdman of Bayard, and Omaha Sens. Pam Redfield and Mark Quandahl.

"…Schimek, who presented a similar amendment last year, said she was unsure of the future of Native casino gambling in Nebraska. The proposal can sit for two years, but options to revive it are plentiful.

"…Judi Morgan, director of the state Indian Commission, said the options could include another try to get the bill out of committee later this year or possibly next year. Janssen suggested that he has heard discussions of using an initiative petition if legislation fails. Morgan said she was unaware of that discussion and would prefer a constitutional amendment proposed by the Legislature.

"The amendment (LR6CA) would allow the four Native reservations to build gambling casinos on reservation land only. Reservations are established by the federal government and the tribes have sovereignty on those lands, limited by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

"…Lauren Ekdahl, pastor of Lincoln's Trinity United Methodist Church, said during the public hearing on the bill last week that getting the amendment on the ballot would give casinos an unfair advantage because of the impending one-sided advertising blitz…"

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