Press Releases

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fitch Ratings released a new installment of its Native American Gaming Insights series, focusing on off-reservation gaming. In the report, Fitch discusses pertinent regulatory topics related to off-reservation gaming including the Department of Interior's (DOI) stance on off-reservation gaming under President Obama and new developments surrounding the 2009 Salazar v. Carcieri Supreme Court ruling (Carcieri). Specific items in the report investors may find useful include:

--Summary table of notable casino projects being built off-reservation or on an initial reservation with competitive impact analysis;

--Flow chart of the regulatory approval process for gaming on land acquired after Oct. 17, 1998;

--A library of links featuring notable rulings, releases by DOI and Bureau of Indian Affairs, laws, testimonies, studies, etc.;

--Comments regarding other considerations including capital market access for Native American casino greenfield projects and potential impact from the upcoming presidential election.

In the report, Fitch states that the DOI under President Obama has taken a pragmatic stance towards off-reservation gaming. However, notable roadblocks remain, particularly for tribes whose reservations are located a considerable distance away from the proposed project site and for tribes that were federally recognized after 1934. The uncertainty relating to the upcoming election cycle, the future state of the capital markets and the outcome of several pending precedent setting suits make the outlook for off-reservation gaming highly uncertain.

Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research: Native American Gaming Insights -- Off-Reservation Gaming: Three Years into the Obama Administration

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=669850

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Fitch RatingsAlex Bumazhny, CFA, +1-212-908-9179Associate DirectorFitch, Inc.One State Street PlazaNew York, NY 10004orAnthony Sparks, CPA, +1-312-368-5456Associate DirectororMichael Paladino, CFA, +1-212-908-9113Senior DirectororMedia RelationsSandro Scenga, +1-212-908-0278 (New York)sandro.scenga@fitchratings.com

Source: Fitch Ratings

TRURO, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 10, 2012) - The president of CUPE Nova Scotia says the 4,500 school board workers his union represents are very concerned about budget cuts announced by Education Minister Ramona Jennex today.

Danny Cavanagh says, "While 1.3% doesn't sound like a lot to most people, the boards have also been told they have to absorb inflation and any wage increases for employees. So we are talking about considerably more than 1.3%."

Says Cavanagh, "Last year, school boards were told to cut 1.65% from their budgets and to put that in perspective, it resulted in 45 positions being eliminated just at the Cape Breton-Victoria Board. The bulk of those cuts were Teaching Assistants who work with children with special needs."

Nova Scotia Council of School Board Unions Chair Wilfridine Crowdis, meanwhile, says, "We find it very disappointing that the provincial government is cutting in the P-12 system for a second year in a row. Parents need to understand that this will have an effect on classrooms and students, despite what the minister may be suggesting.

"Governments everywhere like to use the word 'restructuring' when they really mean cuts. We urge parents to call their provincial MLA's - or call the minister directly - and tell her that cutting our school system is not the way to go," says Crowdis.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        Danny Cavanagh
        President, CUPE NS
        (902) 957-0822 (cell)

        Wilfridine Crowdis
        Chair, NSSBCU
        (902) 258-7208 (cell)

        John McCracken
        CUPE Communications Rep.
        (902) 455-4180 (o)

Source: Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) - Atlantic