Battle set over Michigan off-reservation casino bills

Monday, June 23, 2008  

The House will vote this week on two highly controversial off-reservation gaming bills.

H.R.2176 and H.R.4115 settle land claims for the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, respectively. The bills allow the tribe to acquire new properties, away from their existing reservations, and open casinos.

Michigan Democrats are divided on the issue. Detroit-area lawmakers fear negative impacts on the commercial casinos in their city. They also say the bills set bad precedent for land claims and off-reservation gaming.

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, a former client of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, opposes the bills too. The tribe has hired Ietan Consulting, whose partners include former Bureau of Indian Affairs official Aurene Martin, to lobby against the legislation.

The House schedule currently doesn't indicate when the bill will come up for a vote. Both bills are on the weekly calendar.

Get the Story:
Michigan legislators, tribes divided over casinos in state (The Detroit Free Press 6/22)