Tulalip chairman tells committees gaming revenue funds services, cites jobs and community contributions

Jason Chapo, introduced himself to the joint committees as chairman of the Tulalip Tribes and asked for lawmakers’ support for the tribe’s proposed restated Class III gaming compact. Chapo described tribal gaming as "a governmental enterprise" that funds essential services including health care, behavioral-health services, education, housing, eldercare, youth programs, public safety and natural-resources protection.

Chapo said the tribe directly employs more than 3,000 people and that related retail and hospitality enterprises have helped create "more than 10,000" jobs. He told the committee the tribe has contributed more than $113,000,000 in tribal gaming revenue to neighboring communities, supporting nonprofits, governmental programs and local services in cities such as Marysville and Everett and Snohomish and King counties. He also described hatchery activity, saying the tribe hatches about 9,000,000 fish annually and shares a portion of that production with the state.

Chapo framed the proposed compact amendments as preserving regulatory clarity and tribal sovereignty while allowing tribal enterprises to continue supporting government services and regional economic activity. "We believe these amendments strengthen an already successful partnership," he said, and concluded by asking the committees for their support and thanking members for the opportunity to testify.