The leader of state Assembly Democrats says a federal ruling issued on Friday should open the door to Gov. Scott Walker approving the Menominee Tribe’s proposed casino in Kenosha.
Minority Leader Peter Barca says the Bureau of Indian Affairs seems to have reduced the concern that the state would have to reimburse the Potawatomi Tribe for any revenue losses at its gaming facility in Milwaukee. Barca said that as Walker gets ready to deliver the State of the State, the governor should think about declaring that the casino would help the state.
“All of the projections that have come forward talk about, you know, literally 1,000 to 2,000 jobs — both construction jobs and then permanent jobs — as well as as many as 5 million more tourists per year. So you can’t have that level of economic activity and not see a financial benefit for the state of Wisconsin,” said Barca.
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The Potawatomi remain opposed to the Kenosha casino, saying the federal ruling creates more risk and uncertainty for the project. The Potawatomi may sue the Bureau of Indian Affairs soon.
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