"By now, nearly every Minnesotan is probably aware of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plans to raise additional state revenue through either new revenue-sharing with existing Native American casinos or a partnership with the less fortunate tribes of our state.

As House speaker, I support the governor's plan because the current gaming situation in Minnesota is a monopoly -- that goes on forever -- and pays no tax. It is unfair to Minnesota, to taxpayers and to the great majority of the Native American population in Minnesota.

While both sides of the issue make valid points, the underlying fact doesn't change: the current status quo of casino gaming in Minnesota simply isn't fair. Minnesota has the nation's third-largest tribal casino industry, and yet we have the worst compact deal in the nation."

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Steve Sviggum: Casino status quo isn't fair to state (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 2/6)
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