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Waiting for right time on bingo

OUR VIEW: Legislature should support tribe's plans

The Catawba Indian Nation took its bid to operate a high-stakes bingo facility in Santee to the state Legislature this week. Yet there remains no formal effort to get state approval for the operation.

The leaders of the Catawbas, including Chief Gilbert Blue, met with lawmakers at an informal gathering of the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

Blue told lawmakers the tribe has been unsuccessful in seeking help from Congress and Gov. Mark Sanford in getting approval for the operation.

Failure to get federal approval, largely because of opposition by Sanford and Sen. Lindsey Graham to federal status for the bingo operation, has prompted the Catawbas to turn to the Legislature. Being sought is an arrangement that would allow operations similar to those of other tribes, meaning electronic machines with the ability to connect to bingo games elsewhere with the possibility of large cash awards. The operation would be limited to bingo.

Nonetheless, gambling foes locally and statewide are opposed to the Catawbas' efforts. Some turned out for the meeting, too, with Chairman Jim Harrison later promising to hold a similar session for bingo opponents in April.

Sen. John Matthews says not to worry that there is no legislation pending to give the Catawbas what they seek.

Saying he remains "100 percent committed" to helping the Catawbas achieve their goals in Santee, the Bowman lawmaker said, "The timing is not right" just yet for legislation.

Good news. That means there will be a "right" time.

The Catawbas have put forth a reasonable proposal that addresses the sovereignty and control concerns expressed earlier by the governor and other leaders. They are seeking state approval while other tribes around the country are allowed to operate similar facilities with federal control.

Our local lawmakers and leaders are solidly behind the Catawbas' plan. Our hope still is their support can translate into state sanctioning of a business enterprise made legal by a 1993 agreement between the state and the Catawbas.

Without legislative OK, the Catawbas would have no option but returning to court, where their odds of winning are good.