"The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council, as was its right, retained the authority to decide how the money, calculated as 2 percent of the so-called “net win” from electronic gaming devices, would be distributed. It set up a formal grant-making system, forcing local governments to compete for the cash. The decision-making process remains shrouded in secrecy; the sovereign Tribal government has no Open Meetings Act.

Later gaming compacts with other Tribes set up different rules. There, the actual gaming compacts create local revenue sharing boards, dominated by civil governments with minimal Tribal representation, to hand out the money.

The 1993 compacts will be up for possible renewal next year. Advocates for local governments want more local say in how the dollars are distributed, and are looking hopefully at getting a better deal as part of a new compact. "

Get the Story:
Editorial: Tribal 2 percent system could use improvement (The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun 6/3)

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Saginaw Chippewa Tribe shares casino revenue with community (5/31)