July 28, 2014

GOV. MALLOY STATEMENT ON BIA EXTENSION OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today released the following statement in response to an announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) that it will extend the public comment period concerning revised procedures for establishing a federally recognized tribe:

"While we are pleased that BIA has extended the comment period, we continue to believe that BIA should convene a public hearing in Connecticut. Given the unique and profound effect this proposed rule would have on our state, Connecticut residents deserve an opportunity to express their views in person with BIA officials, and not just as part of a 50-state teleconference."

In February, Governor Malloy wrote a letter to President Barack H. Obama requesting that he consider changes to proposed revisions to tribal recognition rules by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Governor Malloy, Attorney General George Jepsen, Connecticut's Congressional delegation and other parties last year submitted separate comments to BIA expressing disapproval of particular changes under consideration and all have reiterated those objections in subsequent conversations with federal officials.

###

For Immediate Release: July 28, 2014

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy