The tribe plans to build and operate a commercial harness racing track with 500 to 1,500 slot machines and high-stakes bingo, a hotel and a conference center, with the potential of building out the facility to include other destination amenities. The racino will be built on approximately 300 acres of fee land in Calais in the tribe's ancestral homelands that now borders Canada.

The “moral” issue of gambling in Maine is long dead.  Not only does Maine allow harness racing betting elsewhere in the state, it also has approved a slots casino in Bangor.  Churches and non-profits around the state have long augmented their budgets by holding bingo and beano nights.

And of course, there’s the lottery.

The tribe has agreed to turn over at least 41 percent of its racino revenues to the state with special set-asides for health, education and agriculture.  In comparison, the Bangor Hollywood Slots turns over only 39 percent of its revenues.  Most of the money generated there leaves the state.

Beyond the anti-gambling rhetoric and the questions about whether the racino will generate tax dollars for Washington County or for the state is a much more important issue:  Does Maine have the moral right to tell a separate nation that it cannot do what Maine is already doing around the state? 

We believe the answer to that vital question is no, which is why we support Question 1.  Revenues from gaming will support the tribe fiscally, create jobs, and provide health care and education for tribal members. 

In addition, funds will support Maine’s challenged agricultural fair industry, help Washington County’s strapped community college, and provide money for Fund for a Healthy Maine.

Located where it will be, many visitors will arrive from Canada, bringing needed tourist dollars into eastern Maine.
For all these reasons, we recommend a vote for Native American independence, and for Question 1.