8.09.07By Nate Reens
The Grand Rapids Press
WAYLAND TOWNSHIP -- Opponents of an Allegan County casino knew months ago that the battle to block a gaming agreement centered in the state Senate.
It remains to be seen if leaders of 23 Is Enough and the Michigan Gambling Opposition have enough votes to stop a compact with the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi Indians.
John Helmholdt and Todd Boorsma, who head the casino rival groups, think they do.
State Sen. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, isn't so sure.
"If it's going to happen, it's going to happen without my support," Kuipers said Wednesday. "But, when it comes down to it, the votes are likely there to pass it."
The state House on Wednesday approved a compact that could generate $3 million annually for local governments and an estimated $15 million for the state from the proposed casino along U.S. 131.
West Michigan's contingent voted against the deal, but were overwhelmed by a 63-41 tally.
Tribal leaders call it the most generous revenue-sharing agreement in the state's history and say it sets a new level of regulation, upping a gambling age requirement to 21 and dictating how money is prioritized to cover public safety costs.
Without a state agreement, but with federal approval, the tribe could decide against revenue-sharing.
The band plans to build a $200 million facility with 2,500 slot machines and 80 gaming tables. It could add as many as 1,800 jobs with pay averaging $40,000 per year, supporters say.
"At the end of the day, the Legislature will look at this from a common-sense approach," tribal spokesman James Nye said. "This (compact approval) is the only way to mandate the level of control.
"If opponents don't want gaming to go unfettered, they should support the compact."
However, Boorsma feels gambling is being shoved down the throats of county residents. He said all state legislators in the area oppose the casino, and the will of the majority is being ignored.
Boorsma maintains gambling is not an economic development tool and will only spur social losses from addiction and crime.
"People in Allegan County don't want it," he said. This has to stop somewhere, and I hope the dead end lies in the integrity of the Senate."
Nye counters the lack of popularity by saying local governments, including Wayland Township, support the casino. A tribe-sponsored poll also shows support for casino gambling, he said.
Boorsma and Helmholdt said any compact negotiation should wait until after a federal court has rendered a final ruling on whether the land where the casino is to be built can be put in trust.
A federal appeals court could hear oral arguments this fall, but Nye said similar claims raised by opponents against other tribes have lost at every turn.
Helmholdt said House members who pledged to vote against the casino "caved under the pressure of the bright lights and empty promises."
He said 22 of 38 senators plan to fight the compact.
"We believe we have the votes, but we know it's going to stay an uphill battle and a challenge to keep them," Helmholdt said.
-- Press Booth News Service reporter Peter Luke contributed to this story.
The Grand Rapids Press
WAYLAND TOWNSHIP -- Opponents of an Allegan County casino knew months ago that the battle to block a gaming agreement centered in the state Senate.
It remains to be seen if leaders of 23 Is Enough and the Michigan Gambling Opposition have enough votes to stop a compact with the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi Indians.
John Helmholdt and Todd Boorsma, who head the casino rival groups, think they do.
State Sen. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, isn't so sure.
"If it's going to happen, it's going to happen without my support," Kuipers said Wednesday. "But, when it comes down to it, the votes are likely there to pass it."
The state House on Wednesday approved a compact that could generate $3 million annually for local governments and an estimated $15 million for the state from the proposed casino along U.S. 131.
West Michigan's contingent voted against the deal, but were overwhelmed by a 63-41 tally.
Tribal leaders call it the most generous revenue-sharing agreement in the state's history and say it sets a new level of regulation, upping a gambling age requirement to 21 and dictating how money is prioritized to cover public safety costs.
Without a state agreement, but with federal approval, the tribe could decide against revenue-sharing.
The band plans to build a $200 million facility with 2,500 slot machines and 80 gaming tables. It could add as many as 1,800 jobs with pay averaging $40,000 per year, supporters say.
"At the end of the day, the Legislature will look at this from a common-sense approach," tribal spokesman James Nye said. "This (compact approval) is the only way to mandate the level of control.
"If opponents don't want gaming to go unfettered, they should support the compact."
However, Boorsma feels gambling is being shoved down the throats of county residents. He said all state legislators in the area oppose the casino, and the will of the majority is being ignored.
Boorsma maintains gambling is not an economic development tool and will only spur social losses from addiction and crime.
"People in Allegan County don't want it," he said. This has to stop somewhere, and I hope the dead end lies in the integrity of the Senate."
Nye counters the lack of popularity by saying local governments, including Wayland Township, support the casino. A tribe-sponsored poll also shows support for casino gambling, he said.
Boorsma and Helmholdt said any compact negotiation should wait until after a federal court has rendered a final ruling on whether the land where the casino is to be built can be put in trust.
A federal appeals court could hear oral arguments this fall, but Nye said similar claims raised by opponents against other tribes have lost at every turn.
Helmholdt said House members who pledged to vote against the casino "caved under the pressure of the bright lights and empty promises."
He said 22 of 38 senators plan to fight the compact.
"We believe we have the votes, but we know it's going to stay an uphill battle and a challenge to keep them," Helmholdt said.
-- Press Booth News Service reporter Peter Luke contributed to this story.
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