This was in the Kitchener record paper on Saturday. Sorry for the long post.
FOUR TRIBAL CASINOS APPROVED
Lansing , Michigan-- Michigans governor has managed to squeak out legislative approval for four tribal casinos in the state.
The agreements or "compacts" negotiated by Gov. John Engler, a Republican,passed the state legislature by a vote of 48-47 on Thursday. That was followed by a 21-17 vote in the Senate early Friday.
Engler spokesman John Truscott said his boss succeeded by persuading members that voting for the compacts was the only way to slow down, if not stop, the expansion of gambling in Michigan.
"He realized it wasn't an easy decision for people to make." Truscott said. "It is controversial for people who are fundementally opposed to gambling, and the expansion of gambling.... which is the same position as the governor's."
Engler has argued that without the compacts, the tribes would get approval from the U.S. federal government, leaving the state with no control over the number of casinos per reservation and without a portion of revenues.
The new casinos would be located in New Buffalo, Mackinaw City, Battle Creek, and Manistee.
The tribes seeking the compacts are the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians,the little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and the Huron Band of PotawatomiIndians.
Tribal officials estimate the four new compacts would mean $215 million US in construction and support 2,500 construction jobs. |
