| Minnesota Governor's Casino Plan Faces Opposition |
"Friday, just minutes after Pawlenty and a trio of tribal leaders announced they had a deal, a bipartisan group of state senators said they strongly opposed having Minnesota use gambling revenue as a way to finance state government.
"Pawlenty says his plan is about creating fairness for the Leech Lake, White Earth and Red Lake bands of Ojibwe. Although all three bands operate casinos, they haven't seen the economic benefits experienced by Minnesota's other bands.
"…Under the agreement, the bands would share their profits with the state. The state annually would earn about $164 million while the bands would split $331 million. The bands also would be responsible to build and operate the casino and be required to pay the state a one-time $200 million licensing fee.
"…Fond du Lac Chairman Peter Defoe attacked Pawlenty's plan in an open letter to the governor released Friday afternoon.
"…Lawmakers critical of the plan, including senate majority leader Dean Johnson, DFL-Wilmar, said the state shouldn't try to balance its budget with gambling money.
"…At least 12 of the state's 67 senators, including Yvonne Prettner Solon, DFL-Duluth, and Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, have openly said they'll vote against legislation authorizing a casino…"
Source: i-Newswire
Wednesday, 9 March 2005
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