"Sen. Carl Levin (D-Michigan) has decided to support H.R.2176, a bill that would authorize an off-reservation casino for the Bay Mills Indian Community.
"Levin had been neutral on the issue for several years. But says he was swayed by the economic development opportunities that would be created by the casino."
H.R. 2176 (Stupak) is the seventh attempt in as many years to get Congressional approval for a Bay Mills off-reservation casino. There has been little significant difference in the economic benefits anticipated from a casino between the seven bills and economic development arguments have been prominent every time considering unemployment rates in the greater Port Huron community are double digit.
It's absurd to think that such elementary economic development arguments in favor of a casino took a man of Levin's intellect, capacity and experience more than seven years to grasp.
So what's really different now from any other time in the last 7-8 years?
The past seven years, those bankrolling the plan for an off-reservation Bay Mills casino have contributed and raised hundreds of thousands for the political campaigns and pet causes of those with decision making authority and power in Congress but never Sen. Levin -- not until this year (March 2007) when they contributed and helped raise nearly $100,000 for Levin in one day.
In explaining what's been done additionally to pursuade Levin to move away from his long-held neutral position on the off-reservation casino, today the Port Huron Times Herald offered:
"Levin also has received financial support from casino backers. In the year's first quarter, which ended March 31, the senator received at least $100,000 in campaign contributions from more than 100 donors, including [Michael J.] Malik, pizza magnate Mike Ilitch and Port Huron philanthropist Jim Acheson."
After all, Sen. Levin did say "economic development opportunities" pursuaded him to finally throw his support behind the seven year old casino plan. Did he simply forget to mention it was his own economic circumstances that have been improved?
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