Tribe

U.S. Supreme Court likely to overturn “flatly inconsistent” Alabama Supreme Court ruling in Poarch Creek immunity case

The U.S. solicitor general has recommended that the U.S. Supreme Court overturn an Alabama Supreme Court ruling in a case that challenged the reaches of sovereign immunity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians after the tribe promised to waive its immunity in some cases. The solicitor general recommended that the high court not grant … Continued

Josh Moon

June 11, 2019

Opinion

The feds are monitoring Alabama’s lottery debate because something stinks

A couple of weeks ago, as one of the worst lottery bills in history passed the Alabama Senate, I wrote that it would be amazing if the process that led to its passage didn’t get a hard look from one law enforcement agency or another. Well, guess what? As Bill Britt reports today in APR, … Continued

Josh Moon

May 9, 2019

Opinion

State lawmaker should not continue to give the Poarch Creeks a monopoly

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which is comprised of fewer than 4,000 members, have a monopoly over gaming in Alabama. The lottery legislation passed last week by the Senate, if adopted unamended in the House, will ensure the tribe’s monopoly not only continues but will grow exponentially. A “paper lottery,” as sponsored by the … Continued

Bill Britt

April 29, 2019

Opinion

Nothing matters more than the desperate politician

Del Marsh is having himself quite a week. And by that, I mean that Del Marsh is doing dumb things in the hopes that some of you will please remember that he exists when it comes time to vote for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Doug Jones. Apparently, the way to win the … Continued

Josh Moon

March 22, 2019

Opinion

Poarch Creeks’ opinion on gambling laws should carry zero weight

The Mexican government today announced that it would like Alabama officials to revamp the state’s policies on hiring and supporting undocumented workers from that country. When you read the sentence above, how did it hit you? You didn’t take it well, did you? Sorta rubbed you the wrong way? Made you think, “Who the hell … Continued

Josh Moon

March 20, 2019

Poarch Band of Creek Indians face uncertainty

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI) has two serious problems which they hope to eliminate through relationships with current lawmakers both in Washington and Montgomery, but those prospects are dwindling. The tribe’s current worries have been exacerbated, given President Donald J. Trump’s hostility toward Indian gaming. The Poarch Creek Indians were noticeably absent in the 2018 … Continued

Bill Britt

December 4, 2018

Opinion

The Poarch Creek Indians were noticeably absent in the 2018 election cycle. There’s a good reason why.

Throughout the 2018 election cycle, as major donors and top political action committees dumped needed cash into the campaign accounts of their chosen politicians, there was one major player in the state that remained remarkably quiet. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians. While PCI dumped buckets of cash into various PACs, it did so mostly … Continued

Josh Moon

November 29, 2018

BCA stumbles on as negotiation with big businesses stalls

An effort to reunite some of the state’s most prestigious companies with the faltering Business Council of Alabama is stalled, several insiders with knowledge of the negotiations say. For over a year, the Alabama Political Reporter published numerous accounts listing various grievances being expressed about the leadership of then-BCA President and CEO Billy Canary. Canary and BCA’s Executive … Continued

Bill Britt

August 7, 2018

McGhee narrowly avoids upset, holds onto PCI vice-chairmanship

In one of the highest turnout runoff elections in Poarch Creek history, Robbie McGhee narrowly held onto his vice-chairman seat. McGhee defeated challenger Amy Bryan, 625-596, in what was also a historically close race. McGhee, a longtime member of the PCI tribal council, was a heavy favorite when campaigning started for the seat. But fractures … Continued

Josh Moon

August 6, 2018

Indians Oppose Bill to Help Alabama’s Children

By Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Yesterday, in a Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee’s public hearing on the lottery, Robbie McGee spoke in support of one bill, while being in strict opposition of another. McGee, vice chairman for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI), first spoke against Senator Jim McClendon’s (R-Springville) lottery bill, and … Continued

Susan Britt

August 17, 2016