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Wisconsin Tribe Worried Over Lawsuit

MADISON, Wisconsin – As reported by the Green Bay Press-Gazette: "A lawsuit challenging the governor's power to negotiate Native American gaming compacts could lend strength to another seeking an outright ban on Indian casinos, putting thousands of jobs at risk, a Green Bay-area tribe says.

"In a recent open letter to the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, a representative of the Oneida Tribe of Indians said the case that GOP lawmakers filed against Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle could have 'unintended and catastrophic consequences' that threaten Indian gaming in Wisconsin.

"At stake are some 35,000 jobs and $470 million in direct payments and tax revenues that the state budget wouldn't see without the compacts, which let Wisconsin's 11 tribes operate casinos in the state, said Vince DelaRose, Oneida council member.

"…At issue are two lawsuits pending with the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

"One, filed earlier this year by Republican leaders, argues Doyle exceeded his state constitutional powers this year when he signed an amended gambling compact with the Forest County Potawatomi that loosened restrictions on gambling and had no expiration date.

"…The second suit, filed in 2001 by Dairyland Greyhound Park in Kenosha, argues a 1993 amendment to the state Constitution bans all forms of gambling in Wisconsin except the state lottery, pari-mutuel on-track betting, bingo and raffles…"

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