2.07.08
Kilpatrick criticizes bill on casinos
Mayor says having sites in Romulus, Port Huron would hurt Detroit
By TODD SPANGLER
FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF
WASHINGTON -- Saying legislation that would allow for Indian casinos in Romulus and Port Huron is pitting some of Michigan's neediest cities against each other and Detroit, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick asked a congressional committee Wednesday to turn it back.
It was the first Capitol Hill appearance for Kilpatrick since the Free Press reported two weeks ago on thousands of text messages that revealed an affair between the Detroit mayor and his former chief of staff -- a relationship both denied under oath during a court case last summer.
During his testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee, Kilpatrick seemed at ease, defending his city from incursions he said no one should doubt would hurt Detroit's three casinos.
"We're pitting Port Huron against Romulus against Detroit," he told the committee, with his mother, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, looking on.
While Kwame Kilpatrick, his mother and another Detroit Democrat, Rep. John Conyers, opposed the measure, it had its supporters -- including Rep. Candice Miller, a Harrison Township Republican whose district includes Port Huron, and Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, whose district includes Romulus.
Dingell said he has studies to prove that a casino in Romulus will help Wayne County. Port Huron, meanwhile, has an unemployment rate three times the national average and a Canadian casino just across the St. Clair River.
At issue are 2002 settlements signed by then-Gov. John Engler with the Bay Mills and Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa tribes. In exchange for dropping long-standing claims to land in the Upper Peninsula, the tribes would get land for the casinos.
MGM Grand Detroit casino is opposed to the legislation. But Detroit's other two casinos are either in favor or silent. Marian Ilitch, who owns MotorCity Casino, is a partner in other ventures with Michael Malik, who wants to develop Port Huron's casino for the Bay Mills tribe. The Sault Ste. Marie tribe wants to open the Romulus facility while still running Greektown Casino.
"Much of the opposition is based upon greed," Miller said.
The House committee is expected to make any changes to the bill next week and then move it, though whether it gets a floor vote is iffy. The position of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California is unknown, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is opposed.
Contact TODD SPANGLER at 202-906-8203 or at tspangler@freepress.com.
Mayor says having sites in Romulus, Port Huron would hurt Detroit
By TODD SPANGLER
FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF
WASHINGTON -- Saying legislation that would allow for Indian casinos in Romulus and Port Huron is pitting some of Michigan's neediest cities against each other and Detroit, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick asked a congressional committee Wednesday to turn it back.
It was the first Capitol Hill appearance for Kilpatrick since the Free Press reported two weeks ago on thousands of text messages that revealed an affair between the Detroit mayor and his former chief of staff -- a relationship both denied under oath during a court case last summer.
During his testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee, Kilpatrick seemed at ease, defending his city from incursions he said no one should doubt would hurt Detroit's three casinos.
"We're pitting Port Huron against Romulus against Detroit," he told the committee, with his mother, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, looking on.
While Kwame Kilpatrick, his mother and another Detroit Democrat, Rep. John Conyers, opposed the measure, it had its supporters -- including Rep. Candice Miller, a Harrison Township Republican whose district includes Port Huron, and Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, whose district includes Romulus.
Dingell said he has studies to prove that a casino in Romulus will help Wayne County. Port Huron, meanwhile, has an unemployment rate three times the national average and a Canadian casino just across the St. Clair River.
At issue are 2002 settlements signed by then-Gov. John Engler with the Bay Mills and Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa tribes. In exchange for dropping long-standing claims to land in the Upper Peninsula, the tribes would get land for the casinos.
MGM Grand Detroit casino is opposed to the legislation. But Detroit's other two casinos are either in favor or silent. Marian Ilitch, who owns MotorCity Casino, is a partner in other ventures with Michael Malik, who wants to develop Port Huron's casino for the Bay Mills tribe. The Sault Ste. Marie tribe wants to open the Romulus facility while still running Greektown Casino.
"Much of the opposition is based upon greed," Miller said.
The House committee is expected to make any changes to the bill next week and then move it, though whether it gets a floor vote is iffy. The position of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California is unknown, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is opposed.
Contact TODD SPANGLER at 202-906-8203 or at tspangler@freepress.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment