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Menominee Nation Rallies Support For Proposed Kenosha Casino

Governor Walker Must Make Decision On Project By February

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Photo: Chuck Quirmbach/WPR News.

The Menominee Nation and its partners have begun what could be a two-month final push to get Gov. Scott Walker to approve a tribal casino and entertainment complex in Kenosha.

The Menominee and some politicians who have expressed support for the Kenosha casino gathered on Wednesday night at the site of the proposed development, a former dog track. About 200 area residents were also on hand for what was billed as a “pep rally” for the casino, having been encouraged to show up by advertisements promoting free food and tee shirts. The attendees also had the chance to leave their name if they someday hoped to work at the casino, Hard Rock music venue or hotel.

When state Rep. Samantha Kerkman, R-Salem, spoke to the crowd, she touted the dollar value of the development and the number of promised new jobs for Kenosha, as well as for Keshena in Menominee County.

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“What are the numbers I wanted you to walk away with tonight?” she asked. “1.6 billion dollars — and the other number is 10,600 jobs.”

State Sen. Bob Wirch, D-Kenosha, urged the crowd to give Governor Walker a call, and even provided them with the phone number for the governor’s office.

“We need everybody in this audience to get involved to call the governor’s office and tell them ‘Hey, we want that casino down here,’” said Wirch.

But earlier that same day, Walker again expressed concerns about the possible financial harm a Kenosha casino could cause the Forest County Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee. Walker also also said the casino could lead to things like the Potawatomi reducing gaming payments to the state.

“You interject into it the idea that there could be a $100 million hole in the budget, and you have some people saying that could affect school aid, that could affect property tax relief, that could affect the UW System,” said Walker.

The compensation issue is now before the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Gary Besaw, an official with the Menominee gaming authority, said he thinks his tribe and its financial partners, the Seminole tribe in Florida, could compensate the Potawatomi if needed.

“We had talked specifically early on, and we all remember that, about working to help offset those costs,” he said.

Besaw said the Menominee also want to use income from the Kenosha casino to reduce poverty on their tribal land in northern Wisconsin.

Walker currently has until Feb. 19 to decide on the casino project. There are likely to be more talks between the various parties between now and then.