Legislation could undo ruling on Narragansett land April 2, 2009 BY JOHN E. MULLIGAN Journal Washington Bureau - Donald Craig Mitchell, another lawyer who has specialized in Indian legal issues, said Congress should not try to undo a Supreme Court decision simply to prevent lawsuits. If the Interior Department does become embroiled in legal challenges based on the Carcieri decision, it will be because the agency "overreached" when it sought to grant trust status to the Narragansett tribal property. Mitchell also disputed the idea that such lawsuits would be frivolous. He said there would be a "day of reckoning" that the Narragansetts' case has unexpectedly brought to the Interior Department after decades of questionable actions to grant federal recognition to Indian tribes.

House panel holds first hearing on land-into-trust ruling  April 2, 2009 Indianz.Com.The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar could impact criminal jurisdiction, tribal governance and other matters beyond land-into-trust, Indian law experts said on Wednesday.  The decision restricted the land-into-trust process to tribes that were "under federal jurisdiction" when the Indian Reorganization Act was passed in 1934. Congress should amend the law to ensure all tribes, regardless of the date of recognition, can participate, two witnesses told the House Natural Resources Committee.

 Tribes Link Transportation Plan To Increased Profits, Cleaner Air And Less Gridlock Project takes shape as a few of the larger casinos prepare for gaming expansion Metropolitan Uptown Examiner-San Diego While the recession has taken a toll on the profits of the county's Indian gaming casinos, the tribes are moving forward with a proposed transportation management plan that would produce long-term economic and environmental benefits to the casinos, their nearly 14,000 employees and customers and the communities where they are located. 

Tribes eligible for up to $5 billion in stimulus money By Malcolm Maclachlan | 04/02/09 Appeals court rules against charity bingo By Malcolm Maclachlan | 04/02/09 Captiol Weekly Indian tribes across the country are eligible for up to $5 billion of the $787 billion federal stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama in February. 

 Assemblyman plans casino bill Huffman seeks to get legislation to governor's desk this year By DAN JOHNSON, ARGUS-COURIER STAFF April 2, 2009 The Assembly member representing the North Bay intends to introduce a constitutional amendment this year that would require either local voter approval of casinos or an intergovernmental agreement between the state and the immediate area involved to offset environmental impacts.