Indianz.Com

Column: Don't punish tribes for gaming compacts

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2003

"Watching the apoplectic reaction to Gov. Jim Doyle's gaming compact agreement with the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin has been a bit discouraging to those who were hoping a spirit of teamwork might develop between the new administration and the Legislature.

The tribe has agreed to pay the state $38 million over the first two years, 6 percent of its net winnings in year three, and between 4 and 5 percent annually through year nine, when the annual payment will settle in at 4.5 percent of net winnings. The estimate is that will be somewhere between $6 million and $11 million a year in 2003 dollars, compared to the fixed $4.85 million annual payment under the soon-to-expire existing compact.

The fact that the new payments are based on a percentage, rather than a fixed amount, guarantees that the state's share will increase as the tribe's fortunes increase. Under the old deal, the Chevrolet could evolve into a Cadillac and the dealer would still be paying sales tax on the Chevy. It also protects the tribe from complete disaster should the car unexpectedly devolve into a Yugo."

Get the Story:
Warren Bluhm: Too late to change the rules on Oneida (The Green Bay News-Chronicle 2/25)

Related Stories:
Column: Tribe offered donation for more casino rights (2/24)
Column: Big money influenced Wis. governor (2/21)
Oneida Nation reaches new deal with state (2/20)
Wis. tribe announcing new casino compact (2/19)