Michael Arcuri: “I'm sorry, 3.9 percent. The problem is that that 3.9 percent can go to the people who are unemployed and, frankly, do…”

When the economic downturn started during the last Administration, the President proposed a tax cut. Many of us, myself included, felt that the money might have been better spent in terms of putting it into infrastructure development.

It truly pains me to see tribes like the Oneida Nation and Cayuga in New York State and our local governments unable to resolve land and tax issues which have remained unresolved for over 30 years.

The Federal government cannot continue to simply throw up its hands and insist that the tribes and local governments resolve these difficult and complex issues by themselves.

I respectfully submit that this discussion should be one that assesses whether the current process is still striking the correct balance in order to facilitate tribal self-determination, economic development and Indian housing.