Artist's rendering of the proposed Menominee Nation off-reservation casino. Image from Casino Kenosha
After giving himself a 60-day deadline, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) will be taking much longer to make a decision on the Menominee Nation off-reservation casino. The Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the casino in late August under the two-part determination provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The law gives Walker veto authority over the project. Walker originally said he would respond in late October. At that time, it appeared he was going to kill the Kenosha casino due to opposition from two tribes. But amid rising pressure from business leaders and fellow Republicans to approve the plan, Walker began giving daily updates instead of announcing a decision. He issued statements on October 28, October 29, October 30, October 31 and November 1. Finally, on November 11, Walker said he was indefinitely postponing a decision. He directed the Department of Administration to start "extensive discussions" on the casino even though the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe and the Ho-Chunk Nation remain opposed. "The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs took nine years to approve an application for a casino in Kenosha," Walker said on Monday. "We will not take that long, but we will invest the time necessary to reach a positive solution for the state." Historically, governors in other states have waited about a year to respond to a favorable two-part determination applications. Walker appears to be the first to have set his own deadlines and to have provided as much information during his decision-making process. Get the Story:
Kenosha casino decision could take months, Gov. Scott Walker says (The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 11/12)
Walker undecided on casino plan (AP 11/12)
Governor Walker doesn't appear close to casino decision (WTMJ 11/11) Bureau of Indian Affairs Documents:
Press Release | Fact Sheet: Menominee Nation Decision | Section 20 Determination: Menominee Nation Off-Reservation Casino Related Stories:
Opinion: War games in Wisconsin over off-reservation casino (11/01)
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