The shuttered Bay Mills Indian Community casino in Vanderbilt, Michigan. Photo © Bay Mills News
Despite a victory at the U.S. Supreme Court, columnist says Bay Mills Indian Community isn't any closer to opening an off-reservation casino in Port Huron, Michigan:
Truth be told, Bay Mills cannot win its off-reservation casino bid in court. Its only path always was to cut a deal with Gov. Rick Snyder and obtaining the permission of the feds — namely the Department of the Interior — to place the land into a trust. You know, Bay Mills and Port Huron actually are no closer to opening a Port Huron casino now than 23 years ago. For us locals — the Thomas Edison Casino Committee, Dick Cummings, Gary Fletcher and myself, folks who have spent what seems like a lifetime working to bring what would be an amazing economic powerhouse to our struggling community — it sure looks as if we again have drawn a losing hand. There is one thing we know for certain: What this ruling really does is guarantee the lawyers and the lobbyists millions more dollars for decades to come.Get the Story:
Cliff Schrader: Bay Mills court victory doesn't mean a casino is on the way (The Port Huron Times-Herald 5/29) Supreme Court Decision:
Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community (May 27, 2014) Oral Arguments on the Indianz.Com SoundCloud:
Relevant Documents:
Oral Argument Transcript | Supreme Court Docket Sheet No. 12-515 | Supreme Court Order List 6th Circuit Decision:
Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community (August 15, 2012) Related Stories:
NIGA welcomes ruling in Bay Mills off-reservation gaming case (5/30)
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