Gov. Spitzer lobbying Interior Secretary on Catskills casino

02.27.07
as reported in the Albany Times Union:

"...Earlier Monday, Spitzer met briefly with U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne in Washington, D.C., at the National Governors Association meetings, and is trying to set up a more formal meeting Wednesday with the secretary. Spitzer is lobbying for federal approval of the St. Regis Mohawk Council's application to place 30 acres at Monticello Raceway into trust for a Catskills casino.

" 'This is an issue I will continue to deal with aggressively,' Spitzer said.

"Meanwhile, health groups, including the American Cancer Society, wrote to Spitzer urging him to renegotiate with the Mohawks to make sure the tribe honors the state ban on smoking in work areas. The tribe only agreed to make some sections of the gaming floor smoke-free."