AUGUSTA (AP) – The Maine Senate on Thursday rejected an Indian racino measure by a single vote, but other avenues remained open for supporters to pursue their plan.

Senators voted 17-16 without debate against an order directing the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee to report out a bill authorizing a referendum on a tribal commercial track and slot machines.

Thursday’s Senate action came just days before Monday’s deadline for supporters of the Down East racino to deliver to state election officials petitions seeking a statewide referendum.

Frederick Moore III, the Passamaquoddy Tribe’s representative in the Maine House, said the Indians plan to submit more than enough signatures to force the racino referendum next November, so Thursday’s Senate action was not a big concern.

“It’s not a big deal,” Moore said after the vote. He said the order, which had won support in the House by a wide margin earlier this month, was intended only as a possible vehicle for compromise on the sticky issue to avoid a referendum next fall.

While Thursday’s order was rejected, it was held in the Senate, leaving a re-vote as a possibility.

In order to go the referendum route, supporters must submit at least 50,519 valid voters’ signatures to the Secretary of State’s office by the end of business Monday. Moore said 56,000 to 60,000 signatures would be submitted before the deadline.

The racino proposal comes before state officials just months after the Hollywood Slots facility opened in Bangor, drawing more than $60 million in wagers in November and December.

The Bangor facility was authorized through a statewide referendum in 2003, the same year voters overwhelmingly rejected an Indian-supported initiative to build a $650 million casino in southern Maine.

AP-ES-01-26-06 1242EST