Friday, May 19, 2006

Doyle Gives Ho-Chunk Veto Power Over Off-Reservation Casinos

Yikes.

In a little know provision of the 2003 amendment to the Ho-Chunk Nation’s (Ho-Chunk) gaming compact, the tribe would have the right of final refusal on any Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)-approved off-reservation casino. The Ho-Chunk’s sweetheart deal works as follows; once the Governor has received a BIA-approved off-reservation determination from any tribe other than the Ho-Chunk, the state would notify the Ho-Chunk in writing within sixty days. Within sixty days of the receipt of the notice, if the Ho-Chunk determines and notifies the state that such an expansion would substantially decrease gaming revenues, “the Governor of the State shall not concur.” (Please see end of release for cite and full text.)

“The Ho-Chunk has bought the keys to the state’s gaming kingdom in return for their $500,000 contribution to Governor Doyle’s campaign,” said Nemoir. “The $500,000 in campaign cash has paid repeated dividends for the tribe who through their 2003 Doyle negotiated compact amendment will soon operate more gaming facilities than any other tribe, and have the unique ability to stop other tribe’s off-reservation expansion in the state.”

“Governor Doyle has chosen the Ho-Chunk Nation to be the state’s 800-lb gaming gorilla, allowing them to rove the state and build five new facilities, bullying the other tribes while becoming the king of gaming in the state.”

(3) Comments
Posted by Owen at 0826 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. So, when do we change the name from Wisconsin to Ho-Chunk?

    Posted by Billiam on May 19, 2006 at 0857 hrs


  2. I sense that many people are concerned on the Mexican immigration, from the standpoint that if not regulated, it will swamp US society politically, and there will be no turning back.

    Interestingly enough, you can make a case that the Indian Casinos in this state are doing the same thing. Absolutely becoming so rich and powerful and State Government and businesses are now at the whim of the Indian Casino’s…..

    I’m still amazed the high-stakes cards games are going on every night at Potowatomi, even though as a citizen, I voted to prohibit that under the State Constitution a few years back.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 19, 2006 at 1622 hrs


  3. Would that contract bind Governor Mark Green as well?

    I thought that the State Supreme Court ruled that the compacts were unconstitional too.

    Posted by Clint on May 20, 2006 at 0655 hrs


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