Saturday, March 15, 2008

House Judiciary Committee Chair Opposes Off-Reservation Casino Plans in Michigan

3.14.08


Conyers, Kilpatrick voice concerns anew over casino plans
Proposed gambling sites in Port Huron, Romulus at issue

By TODD SPANGLER • FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF

WASHINGTON -- The Judiciary Committee held a hearing today on proposals that would clear the way for Indian casinos in Romulus and Port Huron.

Although the House Natural Resources Committee already approved it overwhelmingly, Judiciary Chairman John Conyers of Detroit -- an opponent of the bill -- claimed jurisdiction over part of the bill.

The legislation has been hotly contested, with Detroit's lawmakers saying it would threaten the casinos there. Meanwhile, some argue it would set a precedent for other tribes across the country to raise land claims as a way to get casinos far from their reservations.

Proponents say that's bunk -- that land claims are typically settled by Congress and this is no more than that.

Conyers, in his opening remarks, noted that MGM has spent $800 million on a new Detroit casino.

"Undoubtedly, MGM would never have made that kind of investment if it knew that Congress would be shoe-horning in additional casinos right outside the city borders," Conyers said.

Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick also testified against it, noting MGM's investment and the questions about whether the tribes are circumventing an established process for using lands for gaming.

"These are dangerous bills and a precedent I don't think Congress wants to set," she said.

But the Bay Mills and Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa tribes say the deals -- signed off on by Govs. John Engler and Jennifer Granholm -- settle claims on the Upper Peninsula going back more than 100 years.

Both Romulus and Port Huron desperately want the casinos as well.

But while MGM is clearly opposed, the feelings of the other two Detroit casinos are more complicated. The Sault tribe, which would build in Romulus, already owns the majority stake in Greektown Casino. And Marian Ilitch, the owner of MotorCity Casino, works closely with the developer proposing the Port Huron facility, though she is not directly involved. She hasn't raised any objections.


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Ilitch has backed loosing sports teams and pizza, but casinos in Detroit? Forbes.com 10.09.06 ● Marian Ilitch #1 on "25 Most Powerful People" to Watch 2006” global gaming business o1.oo.o5 ● My Kingdom for a Casino Forbes 05.08.06 ● Big Lagoon’s casino dream awakens north coast journal 07.28.05 ● Shinnecocks launch legal claim to Hamptons land newsday.com 06.16.05 ● Ilitch Plans to Expand Casino Empire RGTonline.com 07.05.05 ● Ilitch outbids partners MichiganDaily.com 04.14.05 ● Ilitch enmeshed in NY casino dispute detnews.com 03.20.05 ● Marian Ilitch, high roller freep.com 03.20.05 ● MGM Mirage to Decide on Offer for Casino in Detroit rgtonline.com 04.16.05 ● Secret deal for MotorCity alleged freep.com 02.15.05 ● Los Coyotes get new developer desertdispatch.com 02.08.05 Detroit casino figure to finance Barstow project LasVegasSun.com 07.07.03 ● Indian Band trying to put casino in Barstow signonSanDiego.com 06.04.03 Pizza matriarch takes on casino roles detnews.com 10.23.02 ● Vanderbilt gets short straw in negotiations for a casino Lansing Journal 10.06.02 ● Indians aim to drive family from tribe in vicious dispute san diego union tribune 04.09.00 ●Malik owns 2000 Michigan Quarter Horse of the Year Michigan.gov 01.01.00 ● Detroit Team to run Michigan’s newest Indian casino detnews.com 05.23.99 Tiger ties tangle Marian Ilitch detnews.com 04.29.99 ● Three investors must sell their Detroit casino interests gamblingmagazine.com 04.25.99 ● Partners’ cash revived election; They say money was crucial to Prop-E detnews.com 04.25.99 Investors have troubled histories las vegas review journal 04.27.99 ● Investor served probation for domestic assault on 12 year old boy detnews.com 04.25.99 Can a pair win a jackpot?: local men hope to... crainsdetroit.com 03.17.97

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