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State lawmaker asks for
explanation in lapse of liquor enforcement
Ericksen
queries governor about agency’s preferential treatment of tribe
A 42nd District state
lawmaker wants to know whether the
Washington State Liquor
Control Board ignored reported violations and concerns of local
enforcement officers when it granted a liquor license to a tribal casino
in Whatcom County.
Rep. Doug Ericksen,
R-Ferndale, has asked the governor’s office to explain reports that
liquor enforcement officers were directed to ignore violations and were
“advised to make no further visits” to the Nooksack River Casino after
problems were reported.
Last month, the Liquor Control Board, whose members are appointed by the
governor, approved a liquor license for the Nooksack Indian Tribes’ new
Northwood Crossing Casino, citing the tribe’s clean liquor law record.
But a story in the Bellingham Herald revealed local enforcement officers
reported violations and a lack of cooperation by the tribe. An internal
memo indicates liquor enforcement officers were directed to ignore the
violations and back off on enforcement at the Nooksack River Casino.
Ericksen sent a
letter to the governor’s office June 4 requesting answers, but has
not received a response. He said preferential treatment for the tribes
by the state liquor agency would be troubling and reflects a pattern by
the governor’s office.
Gregoire approved gambling compacts with several tribes earlier this
year which gave them unprecedented authority to expand gambling
activities. The compacts belie the results of ballot measures in which
Washington voters have rejected proposals to expand gambling.
“I’m concerned that the voices of Washington citizens are not being
given due consideration when the governor sits down with the tribes to
negotiate,” said Ericksen. “In this most recent example, the liquor
control board members, who are appointed by the governor, may have
turned a blind eye to violations of the laws they are supposed to
enforce. The board also appears to have ignored recommendations of its
own staff, city and county officials, and thousands of citizens who have
written letters and signed petitions all requesting that this liquor
license be denied. This warrants further explanation by the governor and
her board.”
The liquor control board consists of three members appointed by the
governor to six-year terms.
Earlier this year, Ericksen raised the specter of a perceived
conflict of interest when the governor released the terms of the
tribal gambling compacts. He supported
legislation that would ban campaign contributions from any group
that the governor negotiates contracts with, including tribes. The
measure was rejected by the Democrat-controlled House of
Representatives.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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