Native American sources way up north report in to 'NM Politics with Joe Monahan' with a possible big one: The Downs at Santa Fe could be turned over to the state of New Mexico in return for the state forgiving Pojoaque Pueblo, the track's owner, over $20 million in back gambling taxes the pueblo owes NM.

Pojaque is the last of the gambling tribes in the state that have not signed the compacts that guarantee the state a portion of a tribe's gambling take. The state says Pojoaque's refusal to pay has put them $20 million in the hole and the clock is ticking.

Attorney General Madrid has tried cutting a deal with Pojoaque, as she has successfully done with other reluctant tribes, but so far no luck. Now comes word that instead of coming up with all the cash, the pueblo might consider turning the Downs over to the state, getting the $20 million debt erased and signing the compacts like the rest of the gambling tribes. The state would then turn around and lease the track and a casino that would be put in it to a qualified operator. Pojoaque bought the track in 1996, but it has been dormant for years.

The speculators are taking this one a step further saying Gerald Peters, major friend of Big Bill's who recently applied but was rejected for the new Hobbs racino could just be the 'qualified operator' who could lead the line of applicants to run the Santa Fe racino if indeed the Pojoaque swap turns out to be the real deal. Also, don't count out Ken Newton, former Downs operator from years ago. Stay tuned.

SLEEPING ALLIGATORS

Maybe I should take another trip deep into the mysterious caverns of La Politica in the fabled South Valley of Bernalillo County because I have not heard from one Alligator down there about who might take James Taylor's seat in the State House, if Taylor is named to the State Senate seat (see my June 2 report) being vacated by Manny Aragon who is leaving to take over the presidency of NM Highlands University.

One alligator did offer this little gem: "Joe, believe it or not there are not any obvious candidates for Taylor's seat. The bench is not that deep down here, and the lure of serving in Santa Fe is not all that great anymore."

Not that great anymore! Where are the legions of movida makers who have kept us entertained these many centuries? Alligators arise! Let's start some trouble down there. My e-mail lines are open and waiting. Also, if Taylor leaves the House, who would become Majority Whip? If I don't hear something soon, I may have to rename my gators, dinosaurs.


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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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