Editorial: U.S. should delay Indian gaming rules

Thursday, April 22, 1999 | 11:58 a.m.

Pressure is mounting on Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt to postpone implementation of new regulations that critics say could allow Babbitt to unilaterally permit full-blown gambling on tribal lands -- even when states object. Florida and Alabama sued the federal government last week, contending the rules eliminate state sovereignty guaranteed by federal law.

Sens. Harry Reid and Richard Bryan, both D-Nev., and Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., have asked Babbitt to postpone the rules until Congress has a chance to override the regulations or the courts render a decision on their legality. Babbitt should reconsider his decision to move forward and call a time-out on the implementation of these regulations that make for poor public policy.

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