By Patrick Whittle, The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Maine - Leaders of Maine's American Indian tribes say the failure of a bill to create a tribal casino in northern Maine widens the rift between the tribes and state leaders.
The bill died after the Republican-controlled Senate rejected it on Monday. The House had approved the bill last week.
The proposal would've allowed a casino designed to benefit the state's four federally recognized tribes. It would be built in Washington or Aroostook County.
Brenda Commander, chief of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, says the failure of the casino project is disheartening to the four tribes.
She also says the tribes felt left out of the process by state legislators, who altered their original proposal.
Commander said the tribes might consider a new approach to make the casino project happen.