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:
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)