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Minnesota Governor Wants $350 Million from Tribes

MINNESOTA -- As reported by the Minnesota Star-Tribune: "After pressuring Indian tribes all year to share casino gambling revenues with the state, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has finally put a number on what he wants: $350 million a year, which he says amounts to about a fourth of tribes' gambling profits.

"In a personal letter that went out to the state's tribal leaders on Oct. 12, Pawlenty asked them to meet with him on Oct. 27 to discuss a new agreement that would, for the first time, require Minnesota tribes to turn over a portion of their gambling revenues to the state.

"If they don't, Pawlenty is quietly developing other options. Dan McElroy, his chief of staff, said Thursday that he went to Las Vegas two weeks ago to meet with representatives of three of the largest casino concerns in the country: Harrah's, MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay. They are 'very interested in Minnesota,' McElroy said.

"...'He's trying to use this as a de facto tax on tribes,' [Helen Blue-Redner, chairwoman of the Upper Sioux Community] said. 'This is not allowed within the bounds of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, and he knows it.'

"...Since 1989, the state's tribes have operated under compacts negotiated with Minnesota that gave them the right to casino gambling, but did not specifically guarantee exclusivity. The tribes have always argued that exclusivity was implied, a point the governor disputes. The compacts had no termination date..."

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