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Minnesota House Changes to Affect Gaming Debate

ST. PAUL, Minnesota – As reported by the Associated Press: "Colin Berg was minding his own political business, running against a first-term DFL representative in west-central Minnesota when the ads started.

"The radio spots and mailings from Republican groups suggested American Indian tribes should pay more of their casino profits to the state, as tribes in other states did.

"The ads were designed to help Berg, but in a district that included the Upper Sioux Community, they were a risk he didn't want. He told party officials the ads were a bad idea.

"…Berg lost on Nov. 2, along with 13 other Republicans vying for House seats held by their party last session. Some American Indian leaders claim that's a public rejection of Republican plans to change gambling policy in the state. A mandate or not, it will almost surely change the debate in the Legislature next year

"…[Governor Tim] Pawlenty rejected the notion that making tribal casino profits an issue contributed to the defeats, and he said 'it may have had an impact on stopping further losses.'

"But many tribal leaders disagree and hope the Republican setbacks on Election Day foreshadow a kinder legislative session for them in 2005.

"…Democrats generally have opposed expanding gambling beyond where it's already permitted, in part because it could take business away from the 11 tribes that have relatively successful casinos in the state…"

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