11.10.07
Casino legislation resurfaces
Tribes are seeking land for gambling houses
BY TODD SPANGLER
FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF
WASHINGTON -- Two proposed American Indian casinos -- one in Romulus, the other in Port Huron -- got new life Friday with federal legislation providing land for both suddenly reappearing in Congress.
They are sure to stir controversy.
With word Friday that the proposals were added to the list of legislation the House Natural Resources Committee is to consider next Thursday, a rival Indian tribe, the Saginaw Chippewa tribe that owns Soaring Eagle in Mt. Pleasant, was already knocking the plans down as illegal under federal law.
At the same time, at least one official in Romulus praised the economic help gambling houses might bring to the city.
"It's no secret the city has been interested in developing large-scale entertainment," said Tim Keyes, Romulus' economic development director.
In the past, the proposals -- which grew out of land-claim settlements made with the two tribes by then-Michigan Gov. John Engler in 2002 -- have seen plenty of opposition, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick among them. His position hasn't changed, a spokesman said.
The proposals were last seen three years ago when they died in the House committee.
Engler signed the deals to settle land claims made by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa and Bay Mills Indian Community on land in the Upper Peninsula, but they must be approved by Congress.
The deal described in the bill sponsored by Rep. John Dingell, a Dearborn Democrat whose district includes Romulus, calls for the Sault Ste. Marie tribe to be given land there. Other legislation sponsored by Rep. Bart Stupak, a Menominee Democrat, and cosponsored by Rep. Candice Miller, a Harrison Township Republican whose district includes Port Huron, calls for the Bay Mills tribe to be given land in that city.
Both tribes run other casinos in Michigan and the Sault Ste. Marie tribe is a part owner of Detroit's Greektown Casino.
"This is encouraging news," Jeff Parker, tribal chairman for Bay Mills, said Friday.
Contact TODD SPANGLER at 202-906-8203 or at tspangler@freepress.com
Find this article at: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071110/NEWS07/711100312
No comments:
Post a Comment