Notes from the West Wing

By State Representative Garey Bies

Indian Gaming

             I know in my last Notes from the West Wing two weeks ago I talked a little bit about Indian Gaming Compacts.  But since then, the issue has only become a bigger headline so I thought I would devote a bit more time to it today.

             First, I want to mention up front that I support legislative oversight of the negotiation of the Indian gaming compacts.  I supported Assembly Bill 41 and would have supported the override of Doyle’s veto of AB 41 had I been given the chance.

             Now, with that out of the way, I want to tell you why this is my position.  Hopefully along the way you can gain a better understanding about the events surrounding the compacts that have occurred during the past two weeks.

             I guess I could start this discussion in a number of places, but let’s begin with why the Republican Legislature, after having left the task of negotiation in the hands of a Republican Governor for so many years now want the responsibility.  And no, it is not because the current Governor is a Democrat, but I’d be wrong to say that was not related to the reason.  At the heart of the dispute is that I, along with my colleagues, feel that Governor Doyle has done a disservice to the residents of Wisconsin.  The fact that Doyle is a Democrat has nothing to do with why I oppose the compacts he has negotiated.  I would be opposed to these compacts had a Republican governor negotiated them.  But for those of you who think this is just some sort of political game, it is not.  This debate is about the substance of the compacts.

             First issue of contention is the time frame of the compacts.  Governor Doyle’s first compact was perpetual!  Forever!  I’m sorry, but how is it that Governor Doyle knows what is going to be best for Wisconsin 5 –10 – 20 – 50 years down the road?  He can’t.  And now it’s a done deal.  But ignoring the fact that we cannot renegotiate this compact in the future, is the financial component the best deal for the state of Wisconsin?

             The compact negotiated by Governor Doyle yields a higher amount of revenue to the state than the previous compacts negotiated by Governor Thompson.  This increased revenue is in return for the permission to allow the tribes to expand their gambling activities.  Governor Doyle touts his compacts as representing great financial benefit to the state.  But are they?  In fact, the Doyle compacts are a much better deal for the Indian tribes when compared to compacts that were being negotiated by Governor McCallum.  For example, the compact Governor McCallum had negotiated with the Potawatomi tribe provided a much greater financial benefit to the state.  From 2003-2005, the McCallum compact would have yielded $145,817,800 more than the Doyle compacts will.  Prior to the November election, the Potawatomi Tribe had agreed to McCallum’s compact.

             Over the past several years, Governor Doyle has repeatedly said that he believes the State Legislature should have some input on the Indian gaming compacts.  I agreed with his sentiments then, as they re-affirmed my belief that an issue this important, with such far-reaching consequences, should not be in the hands of just one person.  And it was Doyle’s repeated comments on this subject that makes the disbelief of his new compacts all the greater.

 As always, if you have questions or comments on this column or any other topic you might see or read in the news, I can be reached by e-mail at Rep.Bies@legis.state.wi.us or by telephone, toll-free at 1-888-482-0001.