Casino Plan Stirs Discomfort within Proposed Partner Tribes

Rank-and-file members of two northern Minnesota Indian tribes that would jointly run a new Twin Cities casino with the state aired concerns about Gov. Tim Pawlenty's gambling proposal hours before a House committee pored over it.

The Regulated Industries Committee endorsed the governor's casino bill Tuesday night on a 12-11 vote. Another proposal allowing slot machines at Canterbury Park racetrack is also moving through the Legislature.

Earlier in the day, a group of tribal members from the White Earth and Leech Lake bands of Ojibwe denounced the actions of their tribal leaders in pursuing the casino partnership. They said that tribal members are less than unified in support of the deal, and questioned if their tribal constitutions even allow it.

"It's not right for them to say all of White Earth is for this, because they're not," said Lori Gellings, a member of the White Earth tribe.

They said tribal leaders haven't shared information with rank and file members of the tribe. Gellings questioned whether it's the good deal for tribes that is being portrayed.

"We're putting every penny into it, while the state isn't," Gellings said.

Archie LaRose, secretary-treasurer of Leech Lake, told the House committee he will seek a referendum among his tribe before it gets involved with any casino. Other Leech Lake tribal leaders are on board with Pawlenty's proposal and aren't seeking such a vote.

Pawlenty's plan, which also includes the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, would require the tribes to put up a $200 million licensing fee and pay for construction of the casino. A site hasn't been determined.

Profits from the $550 million, 4,000-slot machine casino would be split among the state and the three tribes.

Amendments that would have dramatically altered the Pawlenty plan failed. That included one calling for a constitutional amendment vote to explicitly permit a state casino.

The Canterbury proposal requires the track owners to pay $100 million upfront and share profits with state and local governments. The Minnesota State Lottery would oversee operations.

Both plans face better odds in the House than in the Senate, which has a DFL majority.

Senate Democrats met in private Tuesday evening to discuss the gambling issue. They emerged without a consensus, several members said.

But Majority Leader Dean Johnson, DFL-Willmar, said his caucus members have problems with gambling money being used to balance the state budget.

"It's quite evident in our caucus that the gambling money should not be used to bail out Tim Pawlenty and his budgetary problems," he said. "There's almost unanimity in that regard."

If any casino deal is reached, Johnson suggested that the money go toward amenities or supplemental spending for key priorities.

The Senate Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming Committee is scheduled to begin hearings on the casino proposals Wednesday, but might not vote until future meetings.

By Brian Bakst, Associated Press Writer Associated Press Writer Patrick Condon contributed to this report.

Check out our KARE family of Web sites:
	takeKARE		Metromix
	Moms Like Me		Minnesota Bound
	Showcase Minnesota