Wisconsin Supreme Court invalidates gaming pact

Friday, May 14, 2004  

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday invalidated a tribal-state compact signed by Gov. Jim Doyle (D) and the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe.

In a 4-3 decision, the court ruled that Doyle did not have the authority to authorize an expansion of gaming. The compact allowed new Class III games and longer hours of operation at tribal casinos in exchange for a portion of of gaming revenues.

The court said the new games violated a provision of the state constitution that outlawed them.

The compact was first one signed by Doyle, who later signed nearly identical compacts with 9 other tribes. Tribes criticized the ruling, which puts $200 million in shared revenues at risk, but said it was "business as usual." Doyle says he will appeal.

The Forest County Potawatomi Tribe just announced a $240 million expansion plan. The tribe said it would continue to offer the games in question and would withhold a $34 million payment to the state.

The Department of Interior "deemed approved" the compacts to the extent they do not violate existing law. The Interior also noted the litigation, which was filed by Republican lawmakers who say they can get a better deal out of the tribes.

A copy of the decision in Panzer v. Doyle can be found at http://www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinions/03/pdf/03-0910.pdf

Get the Story:
S-M Tribal President says there are no winners with this decision (The Shawano Leader 5/14)
Court strikes down casino deal (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 5/14)
Video: State court strikes down casino deal (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 5/14)
Court negates tribal gaming pact (The Green Bay Press-Gazette 5/14)
Local reaction to court decision on gaming (The Green Bay Press-Gazette 5/14)
Budget could wind up out $207 million (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 5/14)
Bets still placed, despite mixed reactions (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 5/14)
Lawmakers OK with ruling on gambling deal (The Manitowac Times-Herald 5/14)
Wis. Supreme Court rules gov. exceeded authority in gaming compact (AP 5/14)
Court rules state agreement violates ‘separation of powers’ (The Appleton Post-Courier 5/14)
Decision creates state budget uncertainty (The Appleton Post-Courier 5/14)
Tribes respond angrily to state Supreme Court ruling (AP 5/13)
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State High Court Nixes New Compacts; Doyle to Appeal (WisPolitics.com 5/13)
Court ruling may void 2003 gaming compacts (The Milwaukee Business Journal 5/13)