(Note: In simple text, here is the letter from Governor Stitt to the
leaders of Native American tribes based in Oklahoma)
July 5, 2019
The Honorable [Addressee] [Nation/Tribe]
[Compact Address]
Re: Tribal Gaming Compact between [Nation/Tribe] and the State of Oklahoma Effective Date [Effective Date] as Amended and Supplemented (the “Compact”)
Dear [Addressee]:
When I took office as Governor of the State of Oklahoma in January, one of the first matters of which I was apprised was the upcoming termination of the Tribal-State Gaming Compacts. As I believe you are aware, Part 15 Section B of the Compact referenced above, provides in part that the Compact shall expire on January 1, 2020. Moreover, since there has been no governmental action of the State, or court order authorizing electronic gaming in the State, since the effective date of the Compact, I have been advised that the Compact will not automatically renew. Therefore, I believe it is necessary, prudent, and in the best interests of the State of Oklahoma and the [Nation/Tribe] to begin negotiating the terms of a new gaming compact as soon as reasonably practicable.
Accordingly, pursuant to Article 6 of the Oklahoma Constitution, 74 O.S. § 1221 C.1., and Part 15 Section B of the Compact, I am hereby requesting that we renegotiate not only the terms of Subsections A and E of Part 11 of the Compact, but the rest of the terms of the Compact as well. Obviously, because of the January 1, 2020, termination date, it is imperative that we reach an agreement and obtain the approval of the Department of the Interior prior to the end of 2019, so that the [Nation/Tribe] may continue to lawfully conduct certain class III games in Oklahoma after that date.
Please have the individual(s) who will be negotiating on behalf of the [Nation/Tribe] contact the office of my General Counsel, Mark Burget, so we may begin the negotiation process as soon as possible. Mr. Burget may be reached at Mark.Burget@gov.ok.gov.
Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to working with you to conclude a mutually satisfactory and beneficial agreement.
Yours very truly,
J. Kevin Stitt
Governor
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CapitolBeatOK welcomes letters to the editor. All submissions should be no more than 400 words and e-mailed to editor@capitolbeatok.com. Please include a contact phone number for verification purposes. All letters are subject to editing. Letters to the editor will remain posted for one week at the editor’s discretion.