A key legislative committee advanced a bill yesterday that would allow the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to build a third casino.  The bill now moves to the Senate for further action.  An alternative proposal being considered would create a competitive bidding process, and is supported by the Kent-based Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. 

Chief Richard Velky says a fair and open process is needed. 

The Schaghticokes are not federally recognized and want to open a commercial casino on non-tribal land.  If they were federally recognized, like the Mashantuckets and the Mohegans, the Schaghticokes would be able to have a federally regulated tribal casino on their Kent reservation.