"The money is rolling in to the Four Winds Casino, but contracted payments are not rolling out to the state and local units of government entitled to a share.

The gaming compact the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians signed with the state of Michigan in 1998 calls for the tribe to pay 2 percent of slot-machine revenue to the local units and 8 percent to the state. The New Buffalo slots are taking in about $24.4 million a month. The total owed the governments, collected since the casino opened last August, now amounts to $19.5 million. The Pokagons have placed all the funds in escrow.

Michigan is in desperate shape and sorely needs the casino proceeds intended for the Michigan Economic Development Corp. The local units, stretching to accommodate the booming casino, need the funding due them, as well.

A lawsuit will be no good for either side. The Pokagons should negotiate with the government to address whatever concerns they have. But for now, they should just pay what they owe under the existing compact."

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Editorial: Pokagons, pay up (The South Bend Tribune 7/10)