"A prominent Winnebago business leader will testify Thursday before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee about a bill that would eliminate all Alaska Native corporations from participating in a federal program that provides incentives to tribes seeking government contracts.

Lance Morgan, CEO of the Winnebago Tribe's business arm, Ho-Chunk Inc., will speak about how his tribe benefits from a federal program that is under attack by some federal legislators.

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) introduced legislation recently to eliminate Alaskan Native corporations from the Small Business Administration's 8(a) Program. That program provides special benefits to tribes, Alaska Native corporations and Native Hawaiian organizations that are not available to other small businesses.

McCaskill investigated Alaska Native corporations in 2009 and found that they gained government contracts without competition and failed to employ Alaska natives. The contracts largely benefited non-Native executives who earned millions of taxpayer dollars, according to her investigation."

Get the Story:
Kevin Abourezk: Winnebago leader to tout government incentive program (The Lincoln Journal Star 4/3)

Also Today:
Ho-Chunk CEO to testify about SBA program (The Sioux City Journal 4/2)
Ho-Chunk CEO set to testify before Congress (KTIV 4/1)

Committee Notice:
OVERSIGHT HEARING on "Promise Fulfilled: The Role of the SBA 8(a) Program in Enhancing Economic Development in Indian Country" (April 7, 2011)

Related Stories:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee sets hearing on 8(a) at SBA (3/31)