Tribes would have to prove need to enter casino pact

The Associated Press

      ST. PAUL - Gov. Tim Pawlenty has touted his casino proposal as something that would lift up poorer, northern tribes, so the bill authorizing it requires partner Indian bands to prove they need the help.

      Pawlenty outlined his plan for a state-tribal Twin Cities casino earlier this month. On Monday, the bill laying out specific details was introduced.

      Among the noteworthy aspects is a means-testing provision demanding that participating tribes would have to demonstrate they lack money to meet housing, medical care and other basic needs of members.

      That drives home the notion that the Leech Lake, White Earth and Red Lake Chippewa would probably share in the profits while the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community, the Prairie Island Mdewakanton Dakota Tribe, and perhaps the Mille Lacs Band and others, apparently would be shut out.

      The bill has 20 sponsors in the Minnesota House. It could receive its first committee vote as soon as Friday, according to chief sponsor, Rep. Andy Westerberg, R-Blaine.

      Pawlenty's chief of staff, Dan McElroy, said state lawyers recommended the means testing to show a compelling state purpose for selecting particular beneficiaries.

      Stanley Crooks, chairman of Shakopee Mdewakanton, asked whether non-Indian gambling developers would be held to a similar standard

      Referring to a proposal to add slots at Canterbury Park, Crooks asked, "If the Canterbury bill gets to (the governor's) desk, will he veto it unless it has a means test for the Canterbury shareholders? Will they have to prove they are so poor before they can get slot machines?"

      Participating tribes would pay for construction of the casino and give the state a one-time $200 million licensing fee. Annual profits would be shared among the tribes, state government and a host community.

      McElroy said Pawlenty and the three northern tribes have an unwritten understanding that the licensing fee could be reduced if the Legislature approves more than one such casino this year.

      Pawlenty is open to a second casino at Canterbury Park, McElroy said.

      The bill also gives communities 60 days to reject a casino if they are picked to host it. And tribal partners would have to conduct an annual audit of their operation of the casino and provide the state with a copy of it, but classify it non-public under Minnesota law.