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Minnesota Casino Bill Adds Funding Test

MINNESOTA – As reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune: "Any band that wants to participate with the state in running a Twin Cities-area casino would have to demonstrate that it currently lacks money to meet housing, medical care and other basic needs of its members, according to details of a House bill that emerged Monday at the Legislature.

"The bands would have to pass a means test before they would be eligible to join the state in the casino venture, which Gov. Tim Pawlenty has touted as a new source of revenue for the state and for large northern tribes that haven't prospered from existing tribal casinos.

"The Leech Lake, White Earth and Red Lake Chippewa have agreed to participate with the state in such a casino. While the governor had said he would allow any interested tribe to participate in the partnership, the bill indicates for the first time that the state's wealthier tribes, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community, the Prairie Island Mdewakanton Dakota Tribe, and perhaps the Mille Lacs Band and others, apparently would be shut out.

"…The House bill's sponsors include Rep. Andy Westerberg, R-Blaine, and House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon.

"…Pawlenty's chief of staff, Dan McElroy, said economic qualifications for joining the venture were recently added to the proposal after consultations with state lawyers who said there needed to be a reason and a compelling state purpose to justify a law that selects particular beneficiaries for a special deal like the casino…"

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