Michigan governor ready to negotiate compact

Friday, April 22, 2005  

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) said on Thursday she will finally negotiate a gaming compact with the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians now that legal obstacles have been cleared to the tribe's land-into-trust request.

Granholm has previously supported the tribe's right to gaming. But she never signed a compact for Class III games.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has since agreed to take 147 acres into trust for the tribe for an initial reservation. A non-Indian group tried to block the acquisition but lost in court.

The tribe released a study yesterday that showed 50 percent of West Michigan residents support the casino.

Get the Story:
Granholm "ready to negotiate" gaming compact for proposed Wayland Township casino (WOODTV 4/21)
Wayland Casino Closer to Reality (WZZM13 4/21)
Poll: Half support Wayland Township casino (WOODTV 4/21)
Opponents not giving up on preventing proposed casino from being built in Allegan County (WOODTV 4/20)