Gov. Susana Martinez
Gov. Susana Martinez says she’s skeptical of a proposal to build an off-reservation casino in Anthony, but that doesn’t mean she’s decided to oppose it.
“I’m not convinced that it’s the best thing to do right now, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be convinced,” Martinez told NMPolitics.net on Tuesday.
NMPolitics.net requested the interview to seek clarification on Martinez’s stance. That’s because she was quoted by the Las Cruces Sun-News as saying she doesn’t support the casino proposal but is hoping the federal government will make the decision on whether to allow it.
The Anthony proposal comes from Northern New Mexico’s Jemez Pueblo and Santa Fe art dealer and developer Gerald Peters.
Federal law allows off-reservation casinos only when the U.S. Interior Department agrees to place land in federal trust for that purpose. Before that happens, the department has to be convinced that the proposal is in the best interest of the tribe and has the support of the local community where the casino would be built.
When the department approves such a proposal – which is rare – it’s then up to the state’s governor to decide whether the casino can be built. So even if the federal government approved the proposal, all that would do is place the decision in Martinez’s hands.
Martinez pointed out to NMPolitics.net that the Interior Department rejected the Jemez Pueblo’s application in 2008, saying she assumes that decision will stand. But that was during the Bush Administration, and the department under the Obama Administration is taking a second look at the proposal.
So there’s a chance Martinez will have to decide.
Guv wants ‘a diversity of economic development’
Martinez told NMPolitics.net she’s concerned about the precedent that would be set in allowing an off-reservation casino. That mirrors criticism from opponents of the Jemez proposal, who have said allowing it could lead to a number of casinos being built off-reservation in Southern New Mexico.
Some of that criticism, however, comes from people tied to the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, a racino that’s the only gambling establishment near El Paso and Las Cruces. The racino’s owner, Stan Fulton, has admitted he wants to kill the Jemez proposal for business reasons.
Martinez said she wants Southern Doña Ana County to grow economically, but not just through the building of casinos. She mentioned the proposal to move a Union Pacific rail hub to Santa Teresa as a form of positive economic development.
“To have a diversity of economic development is more important to me,” Martinez said.