Citizens group plans fight against casino

By Don Davis

Pioneer Capitol Reporter

      ST. PAUL - A new group wants to stop Minnesota’s gambling expansion and promises to fight casino plans during this year’s legislative session.

      “We believe that gambling is not the easy money proponents say it is,” Jack Meeks said Tuesday in announcing formation of the Citizens Against Gambling Expansion coalition. “We all agree the social and economic costs far outweigh the benefits claimed by gambling expansion proponents.”

      Meeks, the group’s chairman, said members will raise money to tell legislators and the public about problems caused by gambling.

      The coalition brings together the Minnesota Family Council, Taxpayers League of Minnesota, Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, Center of the American Experiment and other mostly conservative groups. Its formation is in large part a response to Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s expected support of a new tribal casino and Senate Republican Leader Dick Day’s continued backing of a casino at a suburban horse-racing track.

      One of the leading gambling proposals lawmakers are considering would allow three northern Minnesota American Indian tribes to build a Twin Cities casino. Profits would be split among the tribes and the state. The White Earth, Red Lake and Leech Lake Bands of Chippewa want legislators to approve construction of a 3,000-slot machine casino in the Twin Cities.

      One of the new group’s members, Brian Rusche of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, said social costs are high. He said a study shows gambling costs every citizen $156 a year in higher police and other expenses.

      Rusche said evidence shows gambling increases bankruptcies, suicides, addiction, divorce and child abuse, among other problems.

      “There is nothing inside gambling that produces good,” he added.

      “The swindled are becoming the swindlers,” he said of the tribes.

      “They simply haven’t walked in the shoes of poverty,” White Earth Chairwoman Erma Vizenor responded.

      “When unemployment is 65 percent on the White Earth Reservation, when families do not have housing, when families are living two or three in a home ... isn’t that a moral impact?” Vizenor asked. “I disagree with their rationale.”

      Leaders of the three bands say their remote casinos do not raise much money. The three account for 85 percent of the state’s Indians.

      Vizenor and Pawlenty’s press secretary said gambling already is expanding.

      “Gov. Pawlenty feels that these folks are misguided,” press secretary Brian McClung said about the new group. “Gambling is expanding by the hour in Minnesota. The only real question is whether or not the 85 percent of tribal members who do not currently benefit and the rest of the state of Minnesotans are going to have some benefits.”

      Honorary chairmen of the new organization include people with such varied political backgrounds as conservative Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer, moderate former Gov. Wendell Anderson and liberal former Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge. However, the groups making up the organization tend to be conservative and Pawlenty supporters.

      McClung said the conservative nature of the group will not influence the Republican governor’s decisions on gambling.

      For more information, go to the Web site at www.mncage.org.