Oklahoma's Indian nations are
increasing their political contributions.
increasing their political contributions.
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma Indian tribes contributed more than $1 million to state politicians, parties and political action committees in 2006 and 2007, according to Oklahoma Ethics Commission reports.
Ninety percent of the money came from just three tribes.
The Chickasaws have given $408,100 since January 2006, the Choctaws have given $282,250 and the Cherokees have given $213,900.
All three tribes have been deeply involved in negotiating tobacco and gambling contracts with the state in recent years.
Energy interests and lawyers still contribute far more than Indian governments do, but tribal giving has grown perhaps as much as five-fold since 2000.
In no other state do tribes account for a bigger share of campaign cash, according to data from the Center for Responsible Politics, a campaign finance watchdog group.
Greg Pyle, the chief of the Choctaw Nation, said it is wise to give contributions to lawmakers.
Pyle said he asked a federal official a few years ago how a tribe could work successfully with state elected officials.
"The question he posed to me was, 'Did you help get them elected?' " the chief said.
Pyle said that in his travels around the country, he has seen that the most successful tribes support political campaigns.
The chief said it is important that when issues come along, Indian leaders "have a seat at the table."
"The lawmakers are busy people; everyone wants to see them, so it is important that they know you, and you can sit down and visit with them," he said. Now if an issue comes up, a lawmaker sometimes will pick up the phone to get the Indian tribe's viewpoint, Pyle said.
Rep. Lisa Billy, a Choctaw/Chickasaw Indian, said it is crucial that the tribes, who have branched into many business ventures besides gambling, work closely with the Legislature. Billy, R-Purcell, has organized an Indian caucus concerned with business endeavors of Indian tribes. About two dozen lawmakers are registered tribal members.
Indian nations have signed numerous compacts with governors over the past several decades. The federal government has held that states must negotiate with tribes on such matters as gambling.
State Ethics Commission records show that Gov. Brad Henry has received $33,750 from Indian tribes since 2006.
Billy said tribes give to both parties.
Democrats and Democratic PACs received $673,850, compared to $345,650 for Republicans and Republican PACs. Nonpartisan candidates and other PACs received $22,800.
In some instances, tribes gave to both candidates in a race. In 2006, the Cherokees gave $5,000 to incumbent state treasurer Scott Meacham, and $3,000 to his opponent, Tulsan Howard Barnett.
Although about two-thirds of the money went to Democrats, the largest recipient of tribal money was the Republican Legal Fund, which received a single $50,000 contribution from the Chickasaw Nation late last year.
Chad Alexander, listed at the Oklahoma Ethics Commission as chairman of the fund, said the money will be used for legal fees, which is all the explanation that current ethics law requires.
Alexander said various entities were asked to give money to the fund, and he is thankful that the Chickasaws decided to contribute. While tribes can only give a maximum $5,000 to an individual, there is no limit on how much it can give to a legal fund.
Chickasaw officials were not available late last week to comment on their contributions.
Among the lawmakers receiving contributions was Rep. Scott BigHorse, D-Pawhuska, who is a registered Osage. He received $32,500 in contributions from Indian tribes since 2006.
Rep. T.W. Shannon of Lawton received the most tribal money of any Republican. Shannon, a Chickasaw citizen, received $17,000 from Indian tribes during the two-year period.
By contrast, Oklahoma tribes contributed very little to congressional campaigns and federal party funds in recent years -- just $18,700, according to the Federal Election Commission.
Randy Krehbiel 581-8365
randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com
Mick Hinton (405) 528-2465
mick.hinton@tulsaworld.com
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