The state’s supplemental budget is in its final draft stages and is expected to be released to the public early in the week. That budget is already heavy on paying for education, health care and making a deposit to the state’s Rainy Day Fund.

There is a very limited amount of discretionary funding available, and many interests will be arguing for a share. We urge lawmakers, as they consider all demands, to fund a reasonable request from the Penobscot Nation and other tribes for economic and community development purposes.

Maine people have for years spurned any and all attempts by Maine’s tribes to enter the lucrative world of casino gambling, and for good reason. However, the energy to stomp on the casino culture is not matched by equal energy to help struggling tribes develop healthier economies. As we refuse support for gambling enterprises, we have an obligation to help the tribes explore other opportunities.

And the tribes, through many representatives, have pledged not to use the requested funds for anything related to casinos or other gambling enterprises, and we take them at their word.

One of the opportunities the Penobscot Nation would like to investigate is an airplane repair business to be based at the soon-to-be-closed Brunswick Naval Air Station. The Bureau of Indian Affairs backs the plan, but there is a lot of research that must be done to develop a business plan. The development authority in Brunswick is already on the job, but the tribe must be involved from the start and it needs funding to make that happen.

The funding request is modest, $400,000 spread over two years. It’s not enough to fix ailing tribal economies, but it’s a respectful start.